596 THE ACARA. 



him such pain as to make him repent having swallowed so 

 indigestible a morsel. 



The magnificent pirarucu or anatto, of vast size, with its 

 ornamental coat of mail, and broad large scales margined with 

 bright red, peoples the waters in immense numbers. It is 

 most frequently caught by the native fishermen ; and when 

 salted, forms the staple food of all classes on the banks of the 

 Lower Amazon. It swims at great speed, and attains the 

 length of eight feet when full-grown, and five feet in girth. 

 The Indian name of pirarucu is given to it from the native 

 words pira, fish, and urucu, red ; in allusion, says Mr. Bates, 

 to the red colour of the borders of its scales. 



Among the other fish most frequently caught are the suru- 

 bim and piraepie'ua (species of Pimelodus) ; very handsome 

 fishes, four feet in length, with flat spoon-shaped heads, and 

 prettily spotted and striped skins two long feelers hanging 

 from each side of their jaws like trailing moustaches. 



THE ACARA. 



The larger animals which inhabit the mighty river and the 

 network of streams and pools which surround it on both 

 sides, have been described ; but numerous smaller creatures 

 dwell within it, equally curious, and many totally unlike 

 those to be found in other parts of the world. It has gener- 

 ally been supposed that, of all creatures, fish are the most 

 destitute of parental feelings, and that from the moment the 

 eggs have been deposited in the sand or mud, they are allowed 

 to struggle into existence as best they can, to do battle with 

 their foes, and the numerous dangers to which they are ex- 

 posed. In the acara, however, we have an example of parental 

 care and watchfulness unrivalled by any terrestrial animal. 



