IN THE PACIFIC. 217 



and line. After a pleasant evening at the 

 station we turned in for the night. The next 

 morning I was surprised to find my lip swollen 

 to a great size, and I could not imagine what 

 animal had so unceremoniously refreshed him- 

 self upon me. A huge spider, with a body as 

 big as a walnut, got the benefit of the doubt, 

 and was killed, though I really believe the poor 

 fellow was innocent. Our hostess said it was 

 probably done by a vampire bat, as they some- 

 times came in through the Venetians during the 

 night. 



After a cup of coffee we started for the woods, 

 and, guided by a native, followed a trail through 

 the thick jungle for several miles. The heat 

 was intolerable, notwithstanding that the trees 

 met overhead, completely obscuring the sun's 

 rays ; not a breath of air stirred the foliage, 

 dripping with the rain of the previous night. 

 The only signs of life were a few humming- 

 birds and some magnificent butterflies of a deep 

 cobalt blue, as large as the crown of one's haf. 

 Presently the rain came down in torrents ; the 



