4 
FIRST 
JOURNEY 
Trees. 
WANDERINGS IN 
arrows for him with an unerring aim, and send the 
- poisoned dart, from the blow-pipe, true to its desti¬ 
nation : and here he may often view all the different 
shades, from the red savage to the white man; and 
from the white man to the sootiest son of Africa. 
Beyond this post there are no more habitations 
of white men, or free people of colour. 
In a country, so extensively covered with wood 
as this is, having every advantage that a tropical 
sun, and the richest mould, in many places, can give 
to vegetation, it is natural to look for trees of very 
large dimensions. But it is rare to meet with them 
above six yards in circumference. If larger have 
ever existed, they have fallen a sacrifice either to 
the axe or to fire. 
If, however, they disappoint you in size, they 
make ample amends in height. Heedless, and 
bankrupt in all curiosity, must he be, wdio can 
journey on without stopping to take a view of the 
towering mora. Its topmost branch, when naked 
with age, or dried by accident, is the favourite resort 
of the toucan. Many a time has this singular bird 
felt the shot faintly strike him, from the gun of the 
fowler beneath, and owed his life to the distance 
betwixt them. 
The trees which form these far-extending wilds, 
are as useful as they are ornamental. It would take 
a volume of itself to describe them. 
The green-heart, famous for its hardness and 
durability; the hackea, for its toughness; the 
ducalabali, surpassing mahogany ; the ebony and 
