20 RIO DE JANEIRO. [CHAP. n. 



specimens which I obtained at Van Dieman'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 dis- 

 tinguished ; on the under 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 Planarire; 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 Planarize 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 may be partly attri- 

 buted 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 



