This is not the fact; the grass is very thick, and the trees of noble growth; we found many unknown to us, some loaded with fruit; also, several beautiful shrubs covered with flowers; the dwarf orange-tree, the elegant melaleuca, the nutmeg-tree, and the Bengal rose blending its flowers with the fragrant jasmine.

I should never finish, if I were to try and name all the plants found in this shady valley, which might be called the botanic garden of Nature.

Ernest was in ecstasies; he wished to carry away everything, but he did not know how to dispose of them.
"Ah!" said he, "if only our grotto were open to this side!" At this moment Fritz came running out of breath, crying out, "The bread-fruit tree! I have found the bread-fruit tree! Here is the fruit,--excellent, delicious bread.

Taste it, father; here, Ernest; here, Jack;" and he gave us each a part of an oval fruit, about the size of an ordinary melon, which really seemed very good and nourishing.
"There are many of these trees," continued he, "loaded with fruit.

Would that we had our grotto opened, that we might collect a store of them, now that they are ripe." My boys pointed out to me exactly the situation of the grotto, judging from the rock above, and longed for their tools, that they might commence the opening directly.