I First Saw This Mode Of
Cultivation In Bali And Lombock, And, As I Shall Have To Describe
It In
Some detail there (see Chapter X.), I need say no more
about it in this place, except that, owing to
The finer outlines
and greater luxuriance of the country in West Java, it produces
there the most striking and picturesque effect. The lower slopes
of the mountains in Java possess such a delightful climate and
luxuriant soil; living is so cheap and life and property are so
secure, that a considerable number of Europeans who have been
engaged in Government service, settle permanently in the country
instead of returning to Europe. They are scattered everywhere
throughout the more accessible parts of the island, and tend
greatly to the gradual improvement of the native population, and
to the continued peace and prosperity of the whole country.
Twenty miles beyond Buitenzorg the post road passes over the
Megamendong Mountain, at an elevation of about 4,500 feet. The
country is finely mountainous, and there is much virgin forest
still left upon the hills, together with some of the oldest
coffee-plantations in Java, where the plants have attained almost
the dimensions of forest trees. About 500 feet below the summit
level of the pass there is a road-keeper's hut, half of which I
hired for a fortnight, as the country looked promising for making
collections. I almost immediately found that the productions of
West Java were remarkably different from those of the eastern
part of the island; and that all the more remarkable and
characteristic Javanese birds and insects were to be found here.
On the very first day, my hunters obtained for me the elegant
yellow and green trogon (Harpactes Reinwardti), the gorgeous
little minivet flycatcher (Pericrocotus miniatus), which looks
like a flame of fire as it flutters among the bushes, and the
rare and curious black and crimson oriole (Analcipus
sanguinolentus), all of these species which are found only in
Java, and even seem to be confined to its western portion.
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