Queen's Hotel, quite
pretentious, quite expensive, and very poor, especially as it regards
the table. One would think a plenty of fruit, at least, might be
afforded where it only costs the time and trouble of gathering, but we
were obliged to seek such cheap luxuries of the itinerant outsiders.
There was a liberal abundance, however, in the insectivorous department.
Centipides and other noxious creatures abounded in the sleeping-rooms.
Fire-flies floated about them in such force at night as to contest the
illuminating power with the primitive light supplied to guests, by means
of a small cork with a bit of cotton wicking floating upon a shallow
dish of cocoanut oil. We will not dilate upon the still more offensive
insects which disputed our sleeping accommodations with us, but did
protest when the rain came pouring through the roof and ceiling upon us
in bed. A large tub was brought in, the bed removed to another corner;
and we fell asleep, lulled by the dull sound of dropping water, to awake
next morning and find the tub overflowing.

We drove through the very extensive and well-arranged Botanical Garden
of Kandy, designed as a sort of experimental nursery for the
introduction of such plants as are not indigenous to the island, but
which might prove to be of value to the planters could they be
acclimated. The selection of various trees and plants is very extensive,
and mingled with those of native origin, together forming a collection
of remarkable interest. We were told that the garden had been organized
for some sixty years, and it is, undoubtedly, the finest in the East,
next to that of Calcutta. It covers a hundred and fifty acres of well
economized land. There was one fine group, we had almost said grove, of
bamboos to be seen here, the stems being considerably over a hundred
feet high, and from eight to ten inches in diameter,--a native of the
spot. The rapidity of growth which characterizes these grasses--for that
is their family--is almost incredible. The large cluster here spoken of
was less than ninety days old, and, the superintendent told us,
increased twelve inches a day by actual measurement! We had read of
plants growing at such speed in the tropics as to be visible to the
watcher, and this group of bamboos was increasing at the rate of half an
inch each hour. It being observed that the atmosphere was impregnated
with a delicate flavor of vanilla, inquiry was made for the cause, and
the plant was pointe