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108 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. IV. fronds of this truly elegant class of plants, which were here so abundant as to impart the charm of their own peculiar cha racter to the foliage of the forest in which they grew. At the time of my visit to this station, having found my health somewhat affected by the oppressive heat of the wea ther, I gladly took up my abode for some time with Madame Michaud, at La Jara, situated at the foot of the Peter Botte Mountain, about six miles from Port Louis, and about as far from the missionary station. This kind lady received me very cordially, as I had before paid her a visit in company with Mr. Kelsey, who usually devoted the days observed as holidays in the government offices to pleasant excursions into the country with his family. I did not, therefore, feel my self a stranger in the place. The mountain scenery in this neighbourhood was peculiarly rich and beautiful, and I found my health improved during the short time I remained in the valley. On the occasion of my visit with Mr. Kelsey, I had accompanied him and his youngest son to Creve Cceur, a sort of pass on the lowest part of the ridge separating the valley from the plain leading to Moka; I have rarely enjoyed a mountain excursion more. Our way was a winding path made by naked feet over rocks, and stones, and streams, passing little low cane or bamboo walled cottages, and through gardens of lentils, pumpkins, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, bananas, and maize. Here and there the men were working in their gardens, and the women washing linen in the rippling stream, or at the edge of a naturally formed basin, into which the water from the higher parts of the mountain flowed in miniature falls. The people appeared to be chiefly Chinese, Africans, or Malagasy, and Indians; the latter most numerous. Their children—num bers of whom were seen about the huts—were nof overbur- thened with clothing, but had splendid heads of jetty hair, and were decorated with silver chains or rings in great abund ance on their necks, waists, arms, wrists, ankles, and toes.