_7th._--It appeared a beautiful night, but towards morning it rained heavily. I turned round in my bed, and made up my mind to lose another day; but at dawn, finding the river not so rapid as I expected, I pushed off a few minutes after six a.m., and after an hour’s heavy work, was rewarded by finding the hills gradually receding from the banks, thus allowing the river freer scope. As might be imagined, this was a sign that we had passed the limestone district; gradually it gave way to sandstone, and with it a more open country. The river soon became broader, but shallower; and though it necessitated hard work, it was not to be compared to the difficulties we overcame on the 5th. During our progress up this river we have kept very much along the banks, and have had to take great care not to shake snakes into our boat. These reptiles are constantly found concealed amid the foliage of fruit-trees, or lying quietly along the branches to catch unwary birds which seek their food there. In fact, their colours so much resemble those of the trees, that it is often difficult to distinguish them. Musa one day pointed to a tree and said, “There is a large snake.” I could not see it, but on his pointing to it with his sword, I noticed a brown creature thicker than my arm, coiled round a bough, with its head resting near a bunch of fruit, waiting the arrival of some unwary Pargam, the splendid green pigeon of these forests. It looked exactly of the colour of the bough on which it was resting, and the green snakes are equally difficult to detect. There is one with large regular scales, and a triangular head, which is the dread of the native, and if its poisonous qualities equal its offensive look, it must be a venomous one indeed. These unpleasant neighbours are, however, rarely seen, though pretty green flower snakes may be occasionally noticed among the bushes, or gliding over the blossoms on the look out for insects. One of a bright green with yellow stripes down its sides is no doubt a beautiful object, but I dislike snakes of every kind. My men, who appear to have as strong an antipathy to them, cut at them on every occasion with their swords.