Vast forests of palms, arecs, bamboo, teakwood, of the gigantic mimosa, and tree-like ferns covered the foreground, while behind, the graceful outlines of the mountains were traced against the sky; and along the coasts swarmed by thousands the precious swallows whose nests furnish a luxurious dish to the tables of the Celestial Empire.
Inmensos bosques de palmeras asiáticas, arecas, bambúes, moscadas, tecks, mimosas gigantescas, helechos arborescentes cubrían el primer plano del país, perfilándose atrás los elegantes contornos de las montañas. Sobre la costa pululaban a millares esas preciosas salanganas, cuyos nidos comestibles son un manjar muy apetitoso en el Celeste Imperio.