22 STEPPES AND DESERTS. 



Rastro ( 42 ) are filled with numberless electric eels, which can 

 at pleasure send a powerful discharge from any part of their 

 slimy yellow spotted bodies. These gymnoti are from five to 

 six feet in length, and are powerful -enough to kill the 

 largest animals when they discharge their nervous organs at 

 once in a favourable direction. 



The route from Uritucu through the Steppe was formerly 

 obliged to be changed, because the gymnoti had increased to 

 such numbers in a small stream that in crossing it many 

 horses were drowned every year, either from the effects of 

 the shocks they received, or from fright. All other fishes 

 fly the vicinity of these formidable eels. Even the fisherman 

 angling from the high bank fears lest the damp line should 

 convey the shock to him from a distance. Thus, in these 

 regions, electric fire breaks forth from the bosom of the 

 waters. 



The capture of the gymnoti affords a picturesque spectacle. 

 Mules and horses are driven into a marsh which is closely 

 surrounded by Indians, until the unwonted noise and 

 disturbance induce the pugnacious fish to begin an attack. 

 One sees them swimming about like serpents, and trying 

 cunningly to glide under the bellies of the horses. Many 

 of these are stunned by the force of the invisible blows ; 

 others, with manes standing on end, foaming and with wild 

 terror sparkling in their eyes, try to fly from the raging 

 tempest. But the Indians, armed with long poles of 

 bamboo, drive them back into the middle of the pool. 

 Gradually the fury of the unequal strife begins to slacken. 

 Like clouds which have discharged their electricity, the 



