LION-HUNTING ON THE KAPITI PLAINS 
37 
These rides through the wild, lovely country, with only 
my silent black followers, had a peculiar charm. When the 
sky was overcast it was cool and pleasant, for it is a high 
country; as soon as the sun appeared the vertical tropic 
rays made the air quiver above the scorched land. As we 
passed down a hill-side we brushed through aromatic 
shrubs and the hot, pleasant fragrance enveloped us. When 
we came to a nearly dry watercourse, there would be beds of 
rushes, beautiful lilies and lush green plants with staring 
flowers; and great fig-trees, or flat-topped mimosas. In 
many of these trees there were sure to be native beehives; 
these were sections of hollow logs hung from the branches; 
they formed striking and characteristic features of the 
landscape. Wherever there was any moisture there were 
flowers, brilliant of hue and many of them sweet of smell; 
and birds of numerous kinds abounded. When we left the 
The fl start for the first day’s lion hunting 
From a photograph by Kermit Roosevelt 
