ANIMAL LIFE. 87 



these plants than by comparing them to the numerous cordages 

 of ships, or to gigantic gymnastic ropes. 



Some of them are of the greatest use to the traveller, as I 

 have experienced many times. It is to supply drink when 

 water is nowhere to be had, which is a common occur 

 rence in the large tracts of the primeval forests. The way 

 to obtain it, is as follows : Having selected a good sized 

 climber, with the machete, (a large knife something like a 

 cavalry sabre), you cut a piece about one yard long, and 

 by keeping it upright, a liquid, something like sweet water, 

 will trickle from it, enough to fill a large wine glass 

 with. If more is required, the natural fountain is close 

 by. By repeating the process, with time, you can fill 

 as many glasses as you like. I learned this from the 

 Indians, and it has been of much use to me at different 

 times. 



Where roads or footpaths have been opened, or openings 

 for plantations made, mammals, birds, insects, and land shells, 

 are sure to be seen, and sometimes in quantity. Peccary (a 

 sort of wild pig), many species of monkeys, squirrels, rats, 

 other animals are seen feeding on the maize. In fa6l, 

 they are a pest to the Indians, who kill them whenever they 

 have a chance. 



Many birds are also seen feeding on the maize, con 

 spicuous among them, are the macaws and parrots, tanagers, 

 sparrows, and others. On the trees bordering the openings, 

 toucans and caciques are also abundant. The Caciques 

 (Cassicus) are very numerous, and live in society. They 

 sele6l one or two of the highest trees and form a sort of 

 cacique s rookery, hanging their long purse-shaped nests 

 close to one another, the whole of which makes a curious 

 sight. I think that this habit of uniting together at the 

 breeding season has for its object the safety of the young. 

 These birds, having the custom of assembling together, 

 fight bravely and pursue any intruder approaching their 

 nests. 



In the roads and foot-paths, insects of all descriptions 

 are met with, but the most conspicuous are the butterflies 

 belonging to the families Heliconidae, Papilionidae, and 

 Morphidae. The family Heliconidae, which contains a 

 large number of genera and species, is peculiar to the warm 

 countries of America. These butterflies are very abundant. 

 Some have long black narrow wings, spotted with crimson, 

 green or yellow ; others are yellow and black ; others have 



