know. But will it really smooth down wood?"

"It is frequently used for that purpose, and you might take some along
and try it."

At intervals John was observed taking up bits of soil, which he
carefully wrapped up and deposited in one of the receptacles.

"I am curious to know what you are taking dirt for?" said Harry.

"I should have told you that a knowledge of the nature of the soil is
one of the things that is very important to the agriculturist. Many men
have made failures because they planted things which the earth was not
adapted to grow."

"It has always been a wonder to me why things really do grow up out of
the dirt," said Harry.

"That is not difficult to understand, if you will consider that the
ground contains food, and that a plant can grow only where it can get
the right kind. Then, there may be plenty of food but not the kind it
can digest."

"Well, that is news to me. Do plants digest food?"

"Yes, just the same as what we call living animals. The tree is somewhat
different from animals, in the particular that it digests its food first
and then consumes it afterwards. In this particular certain larvae act
the same as trees, that is digest it before they consume it."

"What do you mean by larva?"

"The early form of certain living organisms, before they are fully
developed. Thus, the tadpole is the larva of the frog. A great many
insects are bred from what are called grubs, or caterpillars. All these
are called larva."

"What kind of food is found in the earth?"

"Many, many kinds. Carbon, nitrogen, the various salts, such as lime,
magnesia, strontia, and the like, and when the little feelers shoot out
from the roots, they are in search of something to eat."

At this point they were interrupted by shouting and laughter from one
section of the searching party, and the boys ran out across the open to
learn its cause. Two of the natives were carrying a dark brown object,
about half the size of an ordinary hog.

It was kicking vigorously, but did not appear to be at all vicious.

"Why, it looks just like a little bear," said George as he danced about.
"Let us keep it for a pet."

"It is a bear," said John. "It is the Bruang, or the sun-bear of the
Malayan peninsula."

"But doesn't it grow any bigger?"

"No; that is a full size specimen; in fact, it is a pretty large
specimen, I should judge."

"What beautiful fur, and so soft! Will it bite?"

"I am of the opinion they can bite, bu