-wood constantly propelled against them by the
current; so much so, that their safety depended on the crew being always
on the alert to turn aside the trunks of trees with long poles. The tops
alone of some trees appeared above water, others had their roots
attached to them with so much soil that they might be compared to
floating islets. On these, say the travellers, we saw some very singular
assemblages of animals, pursuing peacefully their uncertain way in
strange companionship. On one raft were several grave-looking storks,
perched by the side of a party of monkeys, who made comical gestures,
and burst into loud cries, on seeing the canoe. On another was seen a
number of ducks and divers, sitting by a group of squirrels. Next came
down upon the stem of a large rotten cedar tree, an enormous crocodile,
by the side of a tiger-cat, both animals regarding each other with
hostility and mistrust, but the saurian being evidently most at his
ease, as conscious of his superior strength.[894]

Similar green rafts, principally composed of canes and brushwood, are
called "camelotes" on the Parana in South America; and they are
occasionally carried down by inundations, bearing on them the tiger,
cayman, squirrels, and other quadrupeds, which are said to be always
terror-stricken on their floating habitation. No less than four tigers
(pumas) were landed in this manner in one night at Monte Video, lat. 35
degrees S., to the great alarm of the inhabitants, who found them
prowling about the streets in the morning.[895]

In a memoir lately published, a naval officer relates that, as he
returned from China by the eastern passage, he fell in, among the
Moluccas, with several small floating islands of this kind, covered with
mangrove trees interwoven with underwood. The trees and shrubs retained
their verdure, receiving nourishment from a stratum of soil which formed
a white beach round the margin of each raft, where it was exposed to the
washing of the waves and the rays of the sun.[896] The occurrence of
soil in such situations may easily be explained; for all the natural
bridges of timber which occasionally connect the islands of the Ganges,
Mississippi, and other rivers, with their banks, are exposed to floods
of water, densely charged with sediment.

Captain W. H. Smyth informs me, that, when cruising in the Cornwallis
amidst the Philippine Islands, he has more than once seen, after those
dreadful hurricanes called typhoons, floa