Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/51

Rh Guinea, as they are fever free and there is always a cool breeze blowing; are to be thickly populated, and the whole Straits of the greatest importance. But I am glad to see it as it is now. I have wandered all over this island exploring it, studying its interesting vegetation and its queer pinnacles of clay. These high structures which are so striking are ant-hills, and some are of very large size and height; but, strange to say, I have not discovered an ant in one of them. They and the pandanus trees are most picturesque objects.

I have gathered many of those large beans out of which matchboxes mounted with silver are so often made. The huge pod holding many of these dark-brown polished beans, grows on a gigantic vine, and is of very great size. There are most beautiful trees, beautiful as to their high straight stems, and as to their crown of foliage blazing with pink or scarlet blossom. I can tell you nothing of what they are, as they are new to me, and no one here knows or cares. There are pandanus, banyan, and pawpaw trees. There are quantities of ferns, palms, and beautiful orchids. I wander about through all this quite happy, my dog as content as I am. I think Captain Thompson must have spoken to the dog ere he left, and bid it take care of me, as I find that he left messages for every one directing them to see after me.

Once when I was sketching on top of the hill a cassowary suddenly appeared. At first I thought it was my friend from below, and that it had actually followed me up all the way; but I soon saw it was not the same, but a wild one, if you can call such a bird “wild.” They are the quaintest of birds. Have you ever seen them dance at the Zoo in London? If not, go at once and try to see it; it is too comical for words. Well, this one stalked all round me, put its head over my