just as we had got
up to it, but fell once more in a still thicker part of the hummock,
where we could see through the trees the glitter of water. In spite of
the numerous impediments in our way, we pushed forward until we found
ourselves well-nigh in darkness, though the sun was still high above the
horizon, the tree-tops which joined overhead being interlaced by
numberless creepers of various descriptions, forming a roof impenetrable
by the light of day. An almost insupportable mouldy odour, like the
effluvium arising from a dead body, pervaded the atmosphere; but eager
to obtain the bird, Lejoillie pushed on, and I followed. The pool into
which the duck had fallen was covered with a green scum; and on throwing
a piece of wood into it, the green changed into violet, as if some
chemical product had been mixed with it. The ground itself was covered
with a white efflorescence, which stuck to our feet, and made us slip at
every step.

As our eyes became accustomed to the light, we discovered that we were
in the midst of fungi or mushrooms of every shape and colour. Some were
almost microscopic, collected on the bark of the decaying wood; others
were of gigantic proportions, equal in circumference to the trunks of
the enormous trees amid which they grew. No vegetables except moss and
toadstool-like productions could exist in that airless and pestiferous
region. In every direction lay the trunks of enormous trees blown down
by some hurricane, so completely rotted by damp that a stick run into
them went right through. They lay like vast skeletons, serving to
nourish the mushrooms which grew vigorously in the rank vegetation.

Here also were vast gelatinous and transparent masses, from which oozed
out a yellow-tinted liquid, of so venomous a character that a drop
falling on the skin raised a blister. Other fungi were of dazzling
whiteness, which Lejoillie likened to a casket of pearls, supported by
an azure stalk. Many were in the shape of a Chinese hat, and of an
orange-red colour, striped with silver bands; indeed, the whole tribe of
fungi appeared here to have their representatives. Many were as tall as
children, with heads upwards of two yards in diameter. Some were of
rose colour, and resembled vast umbrellas. Still more numerous were
those of a cup shape, and of a bluish tint, the interior resembling a
huge pot.

We advanced in single file amidst the rows of giant mushrooms, not
without considerable f