The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-28

little feet at the extfemetleS of large Rleeu
legs. which were folded away beneath the
two projecting feelers and . neck jointed -
a breast, an attenussed whist, and . large
fiat body. Presently it'stopped its courtoe
and folding itself again into leaf form, re-
manned exactly the color OF the foilage
around it and proceeded with It's siumbers.
It was the wings which we're r1Dpeo IKE
the leaves and their junction at tho back
had the appearance of leafs spine. The
party was anxious to take away q specimen.
but the leaf-fy. though ching of beauty!
is not "a ioy forever" for whom dead It
shrivels up like withered leaf and turns
gray in color. The leaf dy has been found
Occasionally in other tropical countries.
oily of another freak of nature even more
startling than this wonderful insect.
"Why don't you bury that thing!" in
quired visitor as he drew back in horror
at what appeared to be the dried trunk OF
,"That Is the .Cooo-de-mAr,' a peculiar
production of these islands" replied ma
tive.
It is really marvellous specimen OF vege-
tation. It is not only a sketch of man, Dut
of woman also, for this strange thing ex-
emplifies in itself both forms of humanity.
After all it is only monster double cocoa-
nut, but 80 like the nude figure OF dead
native minus head and limbs that the be-
holder is surprised beyond speech and fasci
mated by the Rrotesque form:
Before these islands were discovered tnls'
fruit was thrown upon the coasts OF the
Mauritius and was looked upon as the pro-
duct Of submarine palm tree. II was
attributed to DIR. Brown Sequard's ELIXIR
Of Life" 1t certainly is remarkable anti
dote to most poisons, and has always
brought extravagant prices in the east.
The East Indians regard the pulp as pos
sessing the highest tonic and restorative
Naldive palm.
Anyone desiring hermit's life could lead
one here upon one of the smaller ISLANDS
without any fear of disturbance from his
kind, in company with sociable parrot or
two and chattering monkey to help him
while the hours away" For vegetar,ans
DESTROYS of indulging their fancies no bet
ter place could be chosen, as they could sat.
isfy their theories to their hearts, content
without either labor or expense. With
prolonged existence on these islands. living
on vegetables only, with immunity from
care and away from the irksome forms and
regulations Of q civilized community. and
free from the racing, struggling life OF
cities, the dream of the lotus eater could be
a perfect reality. Anyone who liked an
aquatic life could indulge his tastes to the
fullest extent, canoeing among the ia
islands. staying here and there little while
as fancy dictated. He would always find
himself welcome guest, for visitors are
scarce, and anyone whose society was at all
agreeable would be eagerly sought after, as
a new arrival is looked upon as godsend.
Nuts, vanilla, eugar and cocoa are the
staple products of the Seychelles. When
the islands were in possession of the
largely cultivated, but when they passed
into British hands slavery was abolished,
the natives lapsed into idleness, and these
productions declined greatly for want of
compulsory cody labor.
Ornamental carving is largely pursued,
vegetable ivory being worked up in many
curious and useful ways. Caskets, cups,
vases and baskets are fashioned in this way.
One casket no larger than an egg shell was
found to contain SIX smaller ones of SINH
lar design, each within the other. Fans
made Of this ivory and fringed with golden
colored moss are in great demand, and
spoons for eating the pulp of the cocoanut
are exQuisitely carved and ornamented.
Tortoise-shell carving is specially on the
islands, and the shell of the turtle comes in
for large share of attention from the
carvers. Grass-made hats are among the
novelties for visitors, and are much used
because of their lightness and the ample
shade they afford.
After three months life on the islands
idleness becomes unbearable to person
who is accustomed to work. Idleness is in
digenous here. The air is too balmy and
the conditions of life too easy for any one
to work who is not urged ON by taskmas-
rte and whip. Even the exertion of think
ing and talking seems too much, especially
when there is no p;.,ticular need to do
either. The visitor, however, 10 generally
loath to leave the islands, for they are
veritable paradise. As the vessel winds it's
way among the network of islands the
homeward- bound passenger looks back and
sees them in a setting of silver caused by
the sparkling brightness which illunines
the sheeny purple water.
Near to the island of Praslin is smaller
one used for hospital purposes. It is a
leper depot. The passenger can see some
of the lepers upon the shore, and although
some distance off, can discover the skele-
ton-like state to which this loathsome dis
ease has reduced the victims. Through the
glass can be caught glimpse Of their dis
figured countenances. They can be seen
holding out their deshless arms imploring-
y, and mournful cries come across the
waters. The disease is said to. have been
brought to the islands by SOME Chinese
many years ago. The inhabitants are rare
~ attacked BY it, but upon the slightest in
dication are hurried at once to the leper
settlement. Pain, sorrow and disease have
reached even those lovely islands. Evil has
entered this paradise upon earth. The
trail of the serpent is even over this Garden
of Eden.