214 



MOSCttJITOES. 



Hnbitals of 

 niostiuitous. 



Different 

 species of 

 flies. 



CUAP.Xvm On the table-lands that have an elevation of more than 

 2558 feet, and in very dry plains at a distance from 

 rivers, tliey are not more numerous than in Europe ; 

 but along the valleys, as well as in moist places on the 

 coast, they continually harass the traveller ; the lower 

 stratum of air, to the lieight of fifteen or twenty feet, 

 being filled with a cloud of venomous insects. It is a 

 remarkable circumstance, that on the streams, the water 

 of which is of a yellowish-brown colour, the tipulary 

 flics do not make tlieir appearance. Not less astonish- 

 ing is the fact, that the different kinds do not associate 

 together : but that at certain hours of the day distinct 

 species, as the missionaries say, mount guard. From 

 half after six in the morning till five in the afternoon 

 the air is filled with mosquitoes, which are of the genus 

 Simulium, and resemble a common fly. An hour before 

 sunset small gnats, called tempraneroes, succeeded 

 them, to disappear between six and seven ; after which 

 zancudoes, a species of gnat, with very long legs, come 

 abroad and continue until near sunrise, when the former 

 again take their turn. Persons bom in the country, 

 whether whites, mulattoes, negroes, or Indians, all suffer 

 from the sting of these insects, although not so severely 

 as recently-arrived Europeans. 



The travellers, after remaining two days in the vici- 

 nity of the cataract of Atures, proceeded on the 17th to 

 rejoin their canoe, already conducted by eight Indians 

 of the mission through the rapids, and reached it about 

 eleven in the morning, accompanied by Father Zca, who 

 had procured a small stock of provisions, consisting of 

 plantains, cassava, and fowls. The river was now free 

 from shoals ; and after a few hours they passed the 

 rapids of Garcita, and perceived numerous small holes, 

 at an elevation of more than 190 feet above the level of 

 the current, which appeared to have been caused by the 

 erosion of tiie waters. The night was spent in the 

 open air, on the left bank. 



On the inih they set out at three in the morning, ana 

 near five in the afternoon reached the Baudal des Gua- 



Renewpd 

 voyage. 



