84 ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 
but horn-like protu- 
berance, giving to this 
really harmless animal 
a formidable and re- 
pulsive appearance. 
(119.) Immense 
serpents, not, indeed, 
poisonous, but nearly 
as formidable from 
their size, are found in 
the wilds a the interior, principally near the banks of the 
great rivers. The natives assert that they frequently kill 
the young oxen, by strangling them in the enormous folds 
of their body. These monsters are never seen of a large 
size in cultivated districts; they belong to the genus 
Boa, which here represents that of Python, belonging to 
the Old World. The species named Boa constrictor has 
been often described, but probably two or three are still 
confounded under that name. Frogs of a monstrous 
size are every where common in the swamps ; but mus- 
quitoes, their usual attendants, are much less numerous 
than in the north of Europe. The number of serpents 
in Brazil appear to us to have been much over-rated : 
although constantly in situations where they might be 
supposed to abound, we met with very few. The 
rattlesnake of North America is here unknown, but its 
place is supplied by another species; while the most 
beautiful are the coral snakes, generally about two feet 
long, and elegantly banded with black and crimson. 
The large lizards, called guanas, are common, both on 
the West India islands and on the continent ; and, by 
the inhabitants generally, are considered very delicious 
eating,—a fact we can ourselves testify: the flesh, indeed, 
is firm, white, and very delicate. Turtles are well 
known as inhabitants of these seas, particularly the green 
sort, sent to Europe and dressed at our feasts: there is, 
however, a species in the Mediterranean which appeared 
to us equally good. 
(120.) The wingless insects, as spiders, crabs, &c. 
