272 NOCTURNAL LIFE OF ANIMALS. 



the shores we saw only, besides an old withered stem of 

 Aubletia (Apeiba tiburba), and a new Apocinea (Allamanda 

 salicifolia), a few silvery croton shrubs. A thermometer 

 observed in the shade, but brought within a few inches of 

 the towering mass of granite rock, rose to above 40 Reau- 

 mur (122 Fah.) All distant objects had wave-like undu- 

 lating outlines, the effect of mirage ; not a breath of air 

 stirred the fine dust-like sand. The sun was in the zenith, 

 and the flood of light which he poured down upon the river, 

 and which, from a slight rippling movement of the waters, 

 flashed sparkling back, rendered still more sensible the red 

 haze which veiled the distance. All the naked rocks and 

 boulders around were covered with a countless number of 

 large thick-scaled iguanas, gecko -lizards, and variously 

 spotted salamanders. Motionless, with uplifted heads and 

 open mouths, they appeared to inhale the burning air with 

 ecstacy. At such times the larger animals seek shelter in 

 the recesses of the forest, and the birds hide themselves 

 under the thick foliage of the trees, or in the clefts of the 

 rocks ; but if, in this apparent entire stillness of nature, 

 one listens for the faintest tones which an attentive ear can 

 seize, there is perceived an all-pervading rustling sound, a 

 humming and fluttering of insects close to the ground, and 

 in the lower strata of the atmosphere. Every thing an- 

 nounces a world of organic activity and life. In every 

 bush, in the cracked bark of the trees, in the earth under- 

 mined by hymenopterous insects, life stirs audibly. It is, 

 as it were, one of the many voices of Nature, heard only by 

 the sensitive and reverent ear of her true votaries. 



