On the Minhocao of the Goyanes^, 279 



Pizarro, who is so well acquainted with all that relates to 

 Brazil, mentions nearly the same thing, and points out the 

 lake Feia, which is likewise situated in Goyaz, as also being 

 inhabited by minhocoes.* 



I had already heard of these animals several times, and I 

 considered them as fabulous. When the disappearance of 

 horses, mules and cattle, in fording the rivers, was certified 

 by 80 many persons, it became impossible for me to doubt it 

 altogether. 



When I was at the Rio des Piloes, I also heard much of 

 the minhocoes. I was told that there were some in this river, 

 and that at the period when the waters had risen, they had 

 often dragged in horses and mules whilst swimming across the 

 river. 



The word minhocao is an augmentative of minhoca, which, 

 in Portuguese, signifies earth-worm ; and, indeed, they state 

 that the monster in question absolutely resembles these worms, 

 with this difference, that it has a visible mouth ; they also add, 

 that it is black, short, and of enormous sfze; that it does not 

 rise to the surface of the water, but that it causes animals to 

 disappear by seizing them by the belly. 



When, about twenty days after, having left the village and 

 the river of Piloes, I was staying with the Governor of Meia- 

 pont, M. Joaquim Alvez de Oliveira, I asked him about these 

 minhocoes : he confirmed what I had already been told, 

 mentioned several recent accidents caused by these animals, 

 and assured me at the same time, from the report of several 

 fishermen, that the minhocao, notwithstanding its very round 

 form, was a true fish, provided with fins. 



I at first thought that the minhocao might be the Gymnotus 

 carapa, which, according to Pohl,t is found in the Rio Ver- 

 melho, which is near to the Rio des Piloes ; but it appears 

 from the Austrian writer that this species of fish bears the 

 name of lerma termi, in the country ; and, moreover, the 



* Memorias Historicas, &c., vol. \x. p. 332. 

 t Reise, vol. i. p. 360. 



