MIRAGE — ANIMALS. H)7 



tlie mutl induced them to make a precipitate retreat. CHAP. XV 

 Might coming on, they wandLred about in search of tlic xi„i,^ 

 fai-m, but did not succeed in finding it, and at length re- adventure, 

 solved to seat themselves under a palm-tree, in a dry 

 spot surrounded by short grass, v^'hen an Indian, who 

 had been on his round collecting the cattle, coming up 

 on horseback, was persuaded, though not without diffi- 

 culty, to guide them to the house. At two in the 

 morning they set off, with the view of reaching Calabozo 

 before noon. The aspect of the country continued the 

 same. There was no moonlight, but the great masses 

 of nebuliE illumined part of the terrestrial horizon as 

 they set out. As the sun ascended, the phenomena of 

 mirage presented themselves in all their modifications. Mirage. 

 The little currents of air that passed along the ground 

 had so variable a temperature, that in a herd of wild 

 cows some appeared with their legs raised from the 

 surface, while others rested upon it. The objects were 

 generally suspended, but no inversion was observed. At 

 sunrise the plains assumed a more animated appearance ; 

 the horses, mules, and oxen, which graze on them in a 

 state of freedom, after having reposed during the night 

 beneath the palms, now assembled in crowds. As the 

 travellers approached Calabozo, they saw troops of small 

 deer feeding in the midst of the cattle. These animals, 

 which are called matacani, are a little larger than the Matacani. 

 roe of Europe, and have a sleek fawn-coloured pile, 

 spotted with white. Some of them were entirely of the 

 latter hue. Their flesh is good ; and their number is so 

 great that a trade in their skins might be carried on with 

 advantage, but the inhabitants are too indolent to engage 

 in any active occupation. 



These steppes were principally covered with grasses of Grasses, 

 the genera kiUingia, cenchrus, and paspalum, which at 

 that season scarcely attain a height of nine or ten inches 

 near Calabozo and St Jerome del Pirital, although on 

 the banks of the Apure and Portuguesa they rise to the 

 length of four feet. Along with these ^vere mingled 

 some turnerae, malvacese, and mimosae. The pastures 



