A Singular Abode

           THEtreeonwhichGlenarvanandhiscompanionshadjustfoundrefuge,resembledawalnut-tree,havingthesameglossyfoliageandroundedform.Inreality,however,itwastheOMBU,whichgrowssolitarilyontheArgentineplains.Theenormousandtwistedtrunkofthistreeisplantedfirmlyinthesoil,notonlybyitsgreatroots,butstillmorebyitsvigorousshoots,whichfastenitdowninthemosttenaciousmanner.Thiswashowitstoodproofagainsttheshockofthemightybillow.

           ThisOMBUmeasuredinheightahundredfeet,andcoveredwithitsshadowacircumferenceofonehundredandtwentyyards.Allthisscaffoldingrestedonthreegreatboughswhichsprangfromthetrunk.Twooftheserosealmostperpendicularly,andsupportedtheimmenseparasoloffoliage,thebranchesofwhichweresocrossedandintertwinedandentangled,asifbythehandofabasket-maker,thattheyformedanimpenetrableshade.Thethirdarm,onthecontrary,stretchedrightoutinahorizontalpositionabovetheroaringwaters,intowhichthelowerleavesdipped.Therewasnowantofroomintheinteriorofthisgigantictree,forthereweregreatgapsinthefoliage,perfectglades,withairinabundance,andfreshnesseverywhere.Toseetheinnumerablebranchesrisingtotheclouds,andthecreepersrunningfromboughtobough,andattachingthemtogetherwhilethesunlightglintedhereandthereamongtheleaves,onemighthavecalleditacompleteforestinsteadofasolitarytreeshelteringthemall.