But when we had ascended to an elevation of about 250 feet, we were stopped by insurmountable obstacles. The converging inside walls changed into overhangs, and our climb into a circular stroll.

不过，到了二百英尺高左右，我们不能再上去了，那边有无法通过的障碍物。内部穹窿又成兀起斜出，往上走就转变为绕圈的行路。在山腰的这一层上面，植物开始跟矿物斗争。有些小树，并且有些大树从山崖的凹凸处长出来。

At this topmost level the vegetable kingdom began to challenge the mineral kingdom. Shrubs, and even a few trees, emerged from crevices in the walls. I recognized some spurges that let their caustic, purgative sap trickle out.

我认得那大戟草，它们流出腐蚀性的浆汁。又有向日草，这名字很不合理，因为太陽光从来照不到它们，那褪了色的和不大香的花串向下垂着，样子很凄凉。

There were heliotropes, very remiss at living up to their sun-worshipping reputations since no sunlight ever reached them; their clusters of flowers drooped sadly, their colors and scents were faded. Here and there chrysanthemums sprouted timidly at the feet of aloes with long, sad, sickly leaves.

处处有些菊花在悲戚和病态的长叶芦荟脚下，软弱无力地长着。

But between these lava flows I spotted little violets that still gave off a subtle fragrance, and I confess that I inhaled it with delight.

但在火石形成的滑道中间，我看见有细小的紫罗兰，还带些微的香气，我承认我很高兴嗅这香味。

The soul of a flower is its scent, and those splendid water plants, flowers of the sea, have no souls!

香是花的灵魂，海中的花，像那楼美丽的水草，是没有灵魂的！

We had arrived at the foot of a sturdy clump of dragon trees, which were splitting the rocks with exertions of their muscular roots, when Ned Land exclaimed:

我们到了一丛健壮的龙血树下面，这时候，尼德·兰喊起来：

Oh, sir, a hive!

啊！先生，一个蜂巢！

A hive? I answered, with a gesture of utter disbelief.

蜂巢！我回答，做个完全不相信的手势。

Yes, a hive, the Canadian repeated, with bees buzzing around!

不错！一个蜂巢，”加拿大人重复说，并且有好些蜂在周围飞鸣呢。