254 WANDERINGS IN 



THIRD America's equatorial regions. I have attacked 



JOURNEY. 



and slain a modern Python, and rode on the back 

 of a cayman close to the water's edge ; a very 

 different situation from that of a Hyde-park dandy 

 on his Sunday prancer before the ladies. Alone 

 and barefoot I have pulled poisonous snakes out 

 of their lurking places ; climbed up trees to peep 

 into holes for bats and vampires, and for days 

 together hastened through sun and rain to the 

 thickest parts of the forest to procure specimens 

 I had never got before. In fine, I have pursued 

 the wild beasts over hill and dale, through swamps 

 and quagmires, now scorched by the noon-day 

 sun, now drenched by the pelting shower, and 

 returned to the hammock, to satisfy the cravings 

 of hunger, often on a poor and scanty supper. 



These vicissitudes have turned to chestnut hue 

 a once English complexion, and changed the 

 colour of my hair, before father Time had med- 

 dled with it. The detention of the collection after 

 it had fairly passed the Customs, and the subse- 

 quent order from the Treasury that I should pay 

 duty for the specimens, unless they were presented 

 to some public institution, have cast a damp upon 

 my energy, and forced, as it were, the cup of 

 Lethe to my lips, by drinking which I have forgot 

 my former intention of giving a lecture in public 

 on preparing specimens to adorn museums. In 

 fine, it is this ungenerous treatment that has 

 paralyzed my plans, and caused me to give up 



