84 ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 



but horn-like protu- 

 berance,, giving to this 

 really harmless animal 

 a formidable and re- 

 pulsive appearance. 



(119-) Immense 

 serpents, not, indeed, 

 poisonous,, but nearly 

 as formidable from 

 their size, are found in 

 the wilds of the interior,, principally near the banks of the 

 great rivers. The natives assert that they frequently kill 

 the young oxen., by strangling them in the enormous folds 

 of their body. These monsters are never seen of a large 

 size in cultivated districts; they belong to the genus 

 Boa, which here represents that of Python, belonging to 

 the Old World. The species named Boa constrictor has 

 been often described, but probably two or three are still 

 confounded under that name. Frogs of a monstrous 

 size are every where common in the swamps ; but mus- 

 quitoes, their usual attendants,, are much less numerous 

 than in the north of Europe. The number of serpents 

 in Brazil appear to us to have been much over-rated : 

 although constantly in situations where they might be 

 supposed to abound, we met with very few. The 

 rattlesnake of North America is here unknown, but its 

 place is supplied by another species; while the most 

 beautiful are the coral snakes, generally about two feet 

 long, and elegantly banded with black and crimson. 

 The large lizards, called guanas, are common, both on 

 the West India islands and on the continent ; and, by 

 the inhabitants generally, are considered very delicious 

 eating, a fact we can ourselves testify: the flesh, indeed, 

 is firm, white, and very delicate. Turtles are well 

 known as inhabitants of these seas, particularly the green 

 sort, sent to Europe and dressed at our feasts : there is, 

 however, a species in the Mediterranean which appeared 

 to us equally good. 



(120.) The wingless insects, as spiders, crabs, &c. 



