222 PICTURESQUE SKETCHES 



legs are like the trunks of great forest trees, and its 

 feet form an ample base for the vast columns which 

 press upon them. Instead of long tusks, large grind- 

 ing teeth, and a trunk like that of the elephant, this 

 animal has an exceedingly elongated and narrow snout, 

 armed throughout with ranges of sharp and strong 

 knife-like teeth. The monster approaches, and trod- 

 den down with one of its feet, armed with power- 

 ful claws, or caught between its long and narrow 

 jaws, our crocodile is devoured in an instant. 



But there is yet another scene for us to contem- 

 plate. Still remaining at no great distance from the 

 shore, but advancing inland towards the forest, let us 

 watch the golden beetles, and the beautiful dragon- 

 flies and other insects, as they flit past in all the 

 brilliancy and cheerfulness of luxuriant and untamed 

 nature. 



The lofty forest trees, perhaps not much unlike 

 some existing but southern pines, are woven together 

 with thick underwood ; and the open country, where 

 it is not wooded, is brown with numerous ferns, still 

 the preponderating vegetation, and distributed in ex- 

 tensive groups. Here and there a tree is seen, over- 

 turned and lying at its length upon the ground, pre- 

 serving its shape, although thoroughly rotten, and 

 serving as the retreat of the scorpion, the centipede, 

 and many beetles. A few quadrupeds not larger 

 than rats, but of marsupial structure, are distinguished 

 at intervals, timid even in the absence of danger, 

 and scarcely appearing from their shelter without 

 great precaution. These feed upon the grubs and 

 other insects living upon or burrowing into the 

 ground. 



