104 AFLOAT UPON THE LLANOS. 



with scarcely any perceptible dilFerence in size between 

 the two extremities. The ceiba produces a pod, contain- 

 ing a fine, silky cotton, which is used by the Indians for 

 the Jlechetes, or light arrows, of their blow-guns, besides 

 being iiseful for a variety of purposes where the ordinary 

 cotton would be too coarse and heavy. We occasionally 

 got sight of a 'perro de agua, or water-dog ; but their ex- 

 treme shyness seldom aiforded us an opportunity for a 

 close acqxiaintance with these somewhat singular animals. 

 They resemble in their general aspect a beaver, are three 

 and four feet in length, and have a very fine fur. An- 

 other strange denizen of these rivers, which we frequently 

 saw, is the ehiguire^^' or water-hog, but in no way is it 

 allied to the land-quadruped of that name. It is the 

 largest known rodent, measuring at least tliree feet in 

 length, is exceedingly bulky, and without a tail. It is 

 found in great numbers in the districts of the Apure and 

 Orinoco, roaming over land and water for its subsistence, 

 delighting particularly in the sweet stalks of the siigai*- 

 cane. It possesses a most offensive odor, v>'ith a fishy 

 flavor to its flesh ; notwithstanding, the jaguars feed rav- 

 enously upon them, while the Indians regard them as ex- 

 cellent eating. 



After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the sub- 

 merged plain which stretched out to the southward, by 

 passing through breaks in the low banks of the Arauca, 

 we at last succeeded. Tlse water was nowhere of any 

 great depth, and often our lieavily-laden bongos ran 

 aground ; when the natives, jumping overboard and apply- 

 ing their shoulders to the crafts, would push them along 

 to where the water was of sufficient depth to again float 

 them. We soon entered a lagoon, the source of the Rio 

 Clarito, but its boundaries it was impossible to deter- 

 mine, as the banks were nowhere visible above the water 



* Hydrochsevus capybara. 



