82 INTRODUCTION. 



brought about thirty with them, which they forced 

 to enter the pool. 



" The extraordinary noise caused by the horses' 

 hoofs makes the fish issue from the sand, and 

 incites them to combat. These yellowish and 

 livid eels, resembling large aquatic serpents, 

 swim on the surface of the water, and crowd 

 under the bellies of the horses and mules. A con- 

 test between animals of so different organization 

 furnishes a very striking spectacle. The Indians, 

 provided with harpoons, and long slender reeds, 

 surround the pool closely, and some climb upon 

 the trees, the branches of which extend horizon- 

 tally over the surface of the water. By their 

 wild cries, and length of their reeds, they prevent 

 the horses from running away, and reaching the 

 bank of the pool. The eels, stunned by the noise, 

 defend themselves by repeated discharges of their 

 electric batteries. During a long time they seem 

 to prove victorious. Several horses sink beneath 

 the violence of their invisible strokes, which they 

 receive on all sides, in organs the most essential 

 to life ; and, stunned by the force and frequency 

 of the blows, disappear under water. Others, 

 panting, with mane erect, and haggard eyes, ex- 

 pressing anguish, rouse themselves, and endeavour 

 to flee from the storm by which they are over- 

 taken. They are driven back by the Indians into 

 the middle of the water ; but a small number 





