, intending to use
them for our supper--of which more hereafter. We also saw many
beautiful birds here, and traces of some four-footed animal again.
Meanwhile the sun began to descend; so we returned to the shore and
pushed on, round the spouting rocks, into the next valley. This was
that valley of which I have spoken as running across the entire island.
It was by far the largest and most beautiful that we had yet looked
upon. Here were trees of every shape and size and hue which it is
possible to conceive of, many of which we had not seen in the other
valleys; for, the stream in this valley being larger, and the mould much
richer than in the Valley of the Wreck, it was clothed with a more
luxuriant growth of trees and plants. Some trees were dark, glossy
green; others of a rich and warm hue, contrasting well with those of a
pale, light green, which were everywhere abundant. Among these we
recognised the broad, dark heads of the bread-fruit, with its golden
fruit; the pure, silvery foliage of the candle-nut, and several species
which bore a strong resemblance to the pine; while here and there, in
groups and in single trees, rose the tall forms of the cocoa-nut palms,
spreading abroad, and waving their graceful plumes high above all the
rest, as if they were a superior race of stately giants keeping guard
over these luxuriant forests. Oh, it was a most enchanting scene! and I
thanked God for having created such delightful spots for the use of man.

Now, while we were gazing around us in silent admiration, Jack uttered
an exclamation of surprise, and pointing to an object a little to one
side of us, said:

"That's a banyan tree."

"And what's a banyan tree?" inquired Peterkin as we walked towards it.

"A very curious one, as you shall see presently," replied Jack. "It is
called the _aoa_ here, if I recollect rightly, and has a wonderful
peculiarity about it. What an enormous one it is, to be sure!"

"_It_!" repeated Peterkin. "Why, there are dozens of banyans here!
What do you mean by talking bad grammar? Is your philosophy deserting
you, Jack?"

"There is but one tree here of this kind," returned Jack, "as you will
perceive if you will examine it." And, sure enough, we did find that
what we had supposed was a forest of trees was in reality only one. Its
bark was of a light colour, and had a shining appearance, the leaves
being lance-shaped, small, and of a beautiful pea-green. But the
wonderful thing