76 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. III. 
descend. On entering the wood, we collected specimens of 
plants and ferns at the different points we had marked on 
our way up; and by the time we had reached the shoulder 
of the mountain, the men were pretty well loaded. Amongst 
the ferns were beautiful specimens of Asplenium macro - 
phyllum and Adiantum pallens. A few clouds had ga¬ 
thered round the summit of the mountain, or the heat would 
have been severe. As it was, we were glad to seek the 
thickest shade for rest, while the men prepared our dinner. 
Having despatched our repast, with a refreshing cup of 
tea, one of my companions returned direct to the town, and 
the other and myself penetrated the wood along the base of 
the mountain in search of plants. A healthy Angrcecum 
datum in flower, and a fine specimen of the calanthe- 
looking plant were among the first we found. The bed of 
the ravine was filled up with masses of rock covered with 
trees and overgrown with creepers and ferns. Such superb 
specimens I had never dreamed of. A frond of Asplenium 
nidus was between five and six feet long, and eight inches 
across, covered on the under side with the most beautiful 
fructification. One head of graceful Lomaria circinata I 
could not help bringing away with me, for it was covered with 
seed; as were some other beautiful kinds, which I hope to 
reproduce from the seed thus secured. We saw but few 
flowering plants here. The fragrant erythrospermum and 
the amaranthus-like Gnaphalium multicaule, and others in 
flower, were only seen on the higher parts of the mountains. 
Orchids, however, were still the chief objects of our search, 
and we were soon separated by the masses of rock intervening 
between the objects to which we were attracted in different 
directions; so that we hailed each other sometimes from a 
considerable distance, as, one after another, some apparently 
new form of orchid presented itself to view; and to be ac¬ 
tually amongst plants of this rare and beautiful kind, grow- 
