118 UKBANA. 



are almost sure to be attacked by them. Upon the Ori- 

 noco and Kio Negro Ave frequently observed tlie hanging 

 gardens of the natives, wlio, when they wish to cultivate 

 a few vegetables, sus2")end from the trees, or lift upon 

 poles, a canoe filled with earth, and in this plant their 

 seed with some hopes of a harvest. Should some formic 

 forager discover this aerial garden, immediately it is filled 

 with voracious insects, and, before the jilanter is aware of 

 their jiresence, his little crop has vanished. We found 

 them exceedingly annoying, depredating upon every thing 

 within their reach — and nothing can be placed beyond it. 

 Especially did they seem to delight in feasting upon the 

 insects collected by us with so great labor. We mention 

 these facts to show some of the obstacles that entomolo- 

 gists in the tropics have to contend with, and how the 

 very superabundance of insects renders it extremely diffi- 

 cult to secure any for the purposes of science. We see, 

 furthermore, what a strife for existence man, in these tropi- 

 cal regions, has to maintain. The soil is unsurpassed in 

 fertility, yet devastating insects prevent him from re- 

 ceiving therefrom his food, while others inflict upon him 

 venomous stings, or, burrowing themselves in his flesh, 

 cause festering limbs. Even the elements combine in 

 making life one unwearied struggle for prolongation. 

 Driven by sv/elling rivers which submerge the land, he 

 is forced, like the wild beasts, to seek refuge in the moun- 

 tains and on the island-like elevations, or even compelled 

 to fix his habitation in the trees, there to subsist upon the 

 ])roducts of his arboreal home. 



The ornithology of this district is not remarkable ; 

 troupials, parrots, and a species allied to our common 

 meadow-lark, being among the most noticeable birds. 

 The first-mentioned suspends its nests in colonies from 

 branches of the trees ; many stately nionarchs on the 

 skirts of the forest, or vipon the open savannas — for 



