Chapter III. 
■very considerable size. The principal species are acacia, 
mimosa, euphorbia, erithryna, and spathodea, both these last 
with brilliant scarlet flowers. 
At the foot of these trees, among the brushwood and low 
plants, is nearly always to be found one of those curious cones 
constructed by termites which characterize all Central African 
landscapes. It would seem as if some reason must exist for 
their invariable connection with these isolated groups of trees. 
Possibly the termites, by collecting earth in one spot, favour 
the development of bushes and creeping plants, which in their 
turn serve to shelter the growth of some forest tree until its 
roots are firmly established in the soil. 
The forest zones in the valleys along the brooks are 
real oases of virgin forest. The luxuriant trees over a 
hundred feet high, diverse species of acacias, majestic palms 
(Borassus and Ilapliia), cassia and dracaena, are overgrown with 
climbing plants, and entwined with the long ropes of giant 
lianas. Troops of monkeys are frequently seen leaping from 
branch to branch with shrill cries. The white-tailed Colobus is 
the commonest species. The forest soil, even on days of blazing- 
sunshine, remains damp and elastic. Off the path the whole 
ground is one carpet of deep moss. 
The contrast with the open tracts enhances the charm of the 
forests. After crossing a slope scorched by the sun, the 
traveller enters into the profound shade heavy with the 
perfumes of acacia, mimosa, jasmine, and honeysuckle. 
The district is fairly populous, but the inhabitants are so 
hidden away among their banana groves and impenetrable 
grasses that it is possible to pass quite close to villages 
without noticing them. They consist of clusters of huts 
usually situated half-way up a hill, surrounded by tufts of 
74 
