114 TRINIDAD. 



opinions or of doubts among the scientific and the educated classes 

 generally, this idea of lunar influence, not only on woods, but on 

 the process of planting, weeding, pruning, reaping, &c., is held 

 as an undoubted article of credence by the small proprietors and 

 cottagers ; and, what is more to the point, this belief is success- 

 fully carried out in the management of their cultivations. 



The inexcusable waste of our best timber woods is really some- 

 thing much to be regretted. Whenever a clearance is made 

 for the purpose of cultivation the under-brush is cut first, and then 

 the larger trees ; after a few weeks, the whole mass of vegetation 

 is destroyed by fire, the most valuable timber often becoming 

 the prey of that wholesome destruction. I wish, therefore, to 

 repeat what I have already advised in my essay on the cultiva- 

 tion of the sugar-cane, viz., that proper precautions should be 

 taken for the preservation of the best forest-woods, either by 

 allowing them to stand over, or by felling them after the clearance 

 has been made by fire, the timber being afterwards removed to 

 some safe place for use or sale, as opportunity may offer, or occa- 

 sion demand. 



ANIMAL KINGDOM. It is not my intention to give here a 

 detailed account of the various species which the kingdom of 

 Trinidad embraces, but only to notice such as deserve attention 

 for their utility, their peculiar habits, or destructive propensities. 



Mammals Quadrumana. Two species: the red or howling 

 Monkey (Mycetes larbatus), and the Sapajou (Oebus). The 

 former is a large species, and very common, but extremely shy 

 and untameable. Even when taken young they refuse food, and 

 continue moaning day and night till they die of inanition. The 

 red monkey has a sort of deep resounding yell (hence the term howl- 

 ing), which it emits particularly previous to and during rain and 

 thunder storms ; it is eaten in default of better game, and is even 

 relished by the mixed-breed Indian and Spanish hunters, and 

 the conuqneros, who often smoke-dry the flesh entire, as is their 

 custom with other game. 



The Sapajou is a small whitish ape, very common in the 

 eastern and southern districts. It is very inquisitive, and not 

 only does not flee at the approach of man, but will remain and 

 examine him with apparent curiosity; its cries, however, prove 

 that it is really alarmed at his presence. Like all other sapajous it 

 has a soft plaintive tone, which has gained for it the name of the 



