OPHIDIAN NOMENCLATURE, ETC. 429 



The differences in spelling the same word may guide us 

 in the pronunciation of it ; as, for example, the c sometimes 

 as k, in Camoudi, or Kamoodi, and as s in Curucoocu or 

 Sooroocoocoo. In these latter words we also find the ?/ 

 identical with 00, as in the Hindu or Hindoo words. 

 Again, they is as i in Jararaca or lararacca, or more probably 

 a sound with which we are unfamiliar, as the word is some- 

 times Shira7'aca. The frequent transposition of syllables 

 hints at a meaning which may be worth seeking by a 

 philologist, should he be also an ophiophilist. Some local 

 information on these points I much hope'd to obtain ; but 

 alas ! {for this chapter) the trips to Brazil of my excellent 

 ally came to an end ! Independently of which, the native 

 dialects could only be studied in the far interior, where, here 

 and there, some tribes may still be found In their pristine 

 simplicity, though it is very doubtful whether their dialects 

 to-day are those from which the first European settlers 

 obtained their Ctiruciicus and Jararacas. 



The repetition of syllables in these strange dialects seems 

 to point at some intention. Can those frequently occurring 

 raras and ciiais represent degrees ? For instance, we are 

 told that the Jarrara<;;/f?^ is ' the largest of the Jarraracas.' 

 And we are quite sure that the 0/r//rijuba, * which killeth by 

 winding certain turnes of his tayle,' is the boa constrictor ; 

 and that the Cuntriiibu, ' which keepeth ahvaies in the water, 

 is the anaconda, these syllables evidently representing bulk 

 or something formidable : as we have them abounding in 

 cnrucucn, the most formidable of all serpents. Then Idido 

 might imply beauty or gay colouring. A snake, Ibiboco, with 

 red and black rings, ' the fairest but of foulest venom,' is 



