Chap. II. A NEW INSECT PEST. Ill 



Malagueita, a mameluco settler, whom we had been 

 recommended to visit. His house and outbuildings 

 were extensive, the grounds well wooded, and the whole 

 wore an air of comfort and well-being which is very 

 uncommon in this country. A bank of indurated white 

 clay sloped gently up from the tree-shaded port to the 

 house, and beds of kitchen-herbs extended on each 

 side, with (rare sight !) rose and jasmine trees in full 

 bloom. Senhor Antonio, a rather tall middle-aged 

 man with a countenance beaming with good nature, 

 came down to the port as soon as Ave anchored. I was 

 quite a stranger to him, but he had heard of my 

 coming and seemed to have made preparations. I never 

 met with a heartier welcome. On entering the house, 

 the wife, who had more of the Indian tint and features 

 than her husband, was equally warm and frank in 

 her greeting. Senhor Antonio had spent his younger 

 days at Para, and had acquired a profound respect 

 for Englishmen. I stayed here two days. My host 

 accompanied me in my excursions ; in fact, his atten- 

 tions, with those of his wife and the host of relatives 

 of all degrees who constituted his household, were quite 

 troublesome, as they left me not a moment's privacy 

 from morning till night. 



We had together several long and successful rambles 

 along a narrow pathway which extended several miles 

 into the forest. I here met with a new insect pest, one 

 which the natives may be thankful is not spread more 

 widely over the country : it was a large brown fly of the 

 Tabanidae family (genus Pangonia), with a proboscis 

 half an inch long and sharper than the finest needle. 



