CHAPTER XIV 



EASTERN SOUTH AMERICA 



WHEN we consider that Brazil covers an area larger than 

 that of the whole of Europe, merely the roughest outlines of 

 the general zoological features of that vast country can be 

 attempted in a work of this nature. The highlands of Brazil, 

 as I have mentioned already, are confined to the east, being 

 surrounded by the ocean on one side and by a continuous 

 tract of lowlands on the others. It is believed that the 

 mountains were once continuous with those of Guiana 

 right across the present mouth of the river Amazon. 

 The whole of the area between the two great highlands 

 of Brazil and Guiana is drained by the mighty Amazon, 

 whose waters exceed in quantity that of any river in the world. 

 The Paraguay and its tributary the Parana drain the south- 

 western parts of Brazil. Practically the whole of the country 

 lies in the tropics. The combined influence of high tempera- 

 ture and abundance of moisture thus produces that exuber- 

 ance of animal and plant life which is so characteristic of 

 Brazil. The great tropical forests are truly bewildering in the 

 wealth and variety of their vegetation, and it is here that we 

 realize more than anywhere else the keen struggle for exist- 

 ence as applied to plants and animals. In their constant efforts 

 to reach the light, and in their endeavour to obtain a full share 

 of it, the trees crowd and press upon one another until the 

 weaker succumb. In their turn they are invaded again by 

 others, while hosts of enemies, parasitic plants and climbers, 

 twine round and strangle the less sturdy long before they 

 succeed in attaining their object. We are thus presented with 

 a scene of savage warfare among plants. It is less evident 

 among animals. But the ringing sound of the multitude of 

 voices issuing out of the forest reminds the traveller that in 

 this teeming profusion of nature there must be an acute 



