Further on is a forest through which runs a narrow native tract.  This demonstrates well the extreme indolence of the native.  If a small branch of a tree falls across the path, he steps over it, if a large one, he walks round it.  Time is no object, so the length of the road is immaterial.  No attempt is made to form bridges, for the streams are not deep and are easily fordable, nor even to break off the branches of trees which obstruct the way.  It is easier to stoop and pass beneath.  The forest paths have indeed been made simply by the pressure of bare feet on the soil and undergrowth.  A few monkeys and parrots chatter overhead and an occasional pigeon coos, but the chief forms of animal life here, are thousands of the most lovely butterflies.  These are coloured to suit the surroundings and are therefore usually of subdued tints.  Occasionally however, a great insect nearly as large as one’s hand, flies by exhibiting the most vivid greens, reds, and blues.  Bananas, rubber plants, palms and acacias crowd each other in the forest through which we walk for three or four miles, until we reach a native village consisting of a few square huts in a clearing.  A handsome looking fellow comes up to us, salutes and desires to know if we wish to buy anything.  Having neither mitakos, salt, nor cloth except the pyjamas we are wearing, we cannot deal and leave the man wondering probably—­if the native ever does wonder—­why we walked all that distance if we did not require anything.

On August 8th we visit the Botanical Gardens at Eala, which is about three miles from Coquilhatville.  Mr. Pinard, the Director of the Gardens, shows us the various plants indigenous and imported which he has collected, and although the place has only been formed for three years, almost everything which could possibly grow has been planted.  The soil is sandy, the altitude about 1100 feet above sea level and the temperature is about 90 deg.  F. Numerous varieties of rubber plants are arranged here for experimental purposes, and gutta percha also is slowly attaining maturity.  Bushes which yield acid, suitable for coagulating the milk of the rubber plant, grow alongside.  Cotton does not do well here owing to the scarcity of rain, but coffee and tea flourish.  All the palms, many ferns and orchids and nearly every fruit and vegetable, European as well as tropical, grow in great profusion while the melons, vegetable marrows, beans, peas, potatoes, lettuces, cucumbers and tomatoes look healthy.  Croton, belladonna and other medicinal herbs are cultivated and there are many beautiful flowers, whose use is chiefly ornamental.  The gardens are of great extent, well laid out and beautifully kept, so that it is difficult to believe that four years ago this site was wild forest.

Adjoining the gardens is a large farm in which cattle, resembling those of the Lower Congo, look well.  It is however, unfortunate that the cows only give sufficient milk to rear their calves.  Horses, asses and pigs live healthily and the native sheep thrive, but are very thin.  Although wheat will not grow, maize is easily raised and the grass, if coarse looking, is good for grazing.  The farm buildings are kept most scrupulously clean, for the slightest neglect would probably occasion an epidemic of trichinosis among the pigs.