ao RIO DE JANEIRO. (CHAP. ^ 



in different parts of the southern hemisphere.* Some specimens 

 which I obtained at Van Diemen's Land, I kept alive for nearly two 

 months, feeding them on rotten wood. Having cut one of them 

 transversely into two nearly equal parts, in the course of a fortnight 

 both had the shape of perfect animals. I had, however, so divided 

 the body, that one of the halves contained both the inferior orifices, 

 and the other, in consequence, none. In the course of twenty-five 

 days from the operation, the more perfect half could not have been 

 distinguished from any other specimen. The other had increased 

 much in size ; and towards its posterior end, a clear space was formed 

 in the parenchymatous mass, in which a rudimentary cup-shaped 

 mouth could clearly be distinguished; on the other surface, however, 

 no corresponding slit was yet open. If the increased heat of the 

 weather, as we approached the equator, had not destroyed all the 

 individuals, there can be no doubt that this last step would have 

 completed its structure. Although so well-known an experiment, it 

 was interesting to watch the gradual production of every essential 

 organ, out of the simple extremity of another animal. It is extremely 

 difficult to preserve these Planariae; as soon as the cessation of life 

 allows the ordinary laws of change to act, their entire bodies become 

 soft and fluid, with a rapidity which I have never seen equalled. 



I first visited the forest in which these Planarise were found, in 

 company with an old Portuguese priest who took me out to hunt with 

 him. The sport consisted in turning into the cover a few dogs, and 

 then patiently waiting to fire at any animal which might appear. We 

 were accompanied by the son of a neighbouring farmer a good 

 specimen of a wild Brazilian youth. He was dressed in a tattered 

 old shirt and trousers, and had his head uncovered: he carried an 

 old-fashioned gun and a large knife. The habit of carrying the knife 

 is universal ; and in traversing a thick wood it is almost necessary, on 

 account of the creeping plants. The frequent occurrence of murder 

 maybe partly attributed to this habit. The Brazilians are so dexterous 

 with the knife, that they can throw it to some distance with precision, 

 and with sufficient force to cause a fatal wound. I have seen a 

 number of little boys practising this art as a game of play, and from 

 their skill in hitting an upright stick, they promised well for more 

 earnest attempts. My companion, the day before, had shot two large 

 bearded monkeys. These animals have prehensile tails, the extremity 

 of which, even after death, can support the whole weight of the body. 

 One of them thus remained fast to a branch, and it was necessary to 

 cut down a large tree to procure it This was soon effected, and 

 down came tree and monkey with an awful crash. Our day's sport, 

 besides the monkey, was confined to sundry small green parrots and 

 a few toucans. I profited, however, by my acquaintance with the 

 Portuguese padre, for on another occasion he gave me a fine specimen 

 of the Yagouaroundi cat 



Every one has heard of the beauty of the scenery near Botofogo. 



* I have described and named these species in the "Annals of Nat. Hist.," 

 vol. xiv., p. 241. 



