THE GREAT CRESTED COQUETTE. 101 



poises will tumble clumsily about. And, to 

 the terror of those who are sailinof on the 

 water, a grim alligator will swim slowly by. 



The waters abound in fish. And here 

 is found a species of salmon, called the 

 ^' piranga." This little creature bites ter- 

 ribly, and attacks everything it meets 

 with. The waters will be stained with the 

 blood of its victim. 



A person who chances to bathe or swim 

 in the neighbourhood of the pirangas is 

 sure to suffer. He will be lacerated by a 

 number of sharp teeth, that seem as if they 

 Avere bent upon devouring him. 



The poor stag is now and then actually 

 devoured. When pressed by an enemy, 

 he will plunge into the water, and attempt 

 to swim across ; but he will be so bitten 

 and wounded by the merciless pirangas, 

 that he sinks from exhaustion, and becomes 

 their prey. 



