212 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



other undergrowths, are, in fact, accessible only to the tupir and the hunter 

 familiar with the practicable tracks. 



The herbaceous vegetation of the Campos differs little in its general aspect 

 from that of the Argentine pampas. Here also the plains are dotted over with 

 clumps of low trees, which shed their leaves during the dry season. But vast 

 spaces are entirely treeless, either owing to the periodical conflagrations, or because 

 arborescent vegetation is prevented from striking root by the dense growth of 

 herbaceous plants. These plants themselves, however, present a great variety of 

 forms, resembling in their main features those of the pampas, and even of the 

 Andean punas. 



Similar contrasts are offered by the local fauna. Monkeys, coatis, capyvaras, 

 sloths, ant-eaters, and tapirs are still met in S. Paulo and Parana ; turtles and 

 crocodiles also frequent the streams ; while the flowery plains are enlivened by 

 gaudy butterflies and humming-birds of resplendent plumage. The nandu, or 

 plateau ostrich, which has disappeared from North Brazil, is still found in some- 

 what numerous flocks on the Parana campos. But he cannot hope long to 

 escape from the pursuit of the sportsman with his deadly rifle and swift 

 hound. The American ostrich must soon become a mythical bird like so 

 many other species that have already disappeared. It will become associated 

 with the other monstrous forms created by the popular fancy, or exag- 

 gerated by vague tradition. Thus, according to the unanimous testimony of 

 the natives, the region of the water-parting between the sources of the Parana 

 and of the Uruguay, was formerly, and perhaps still is, infested by a " worm " of 

 huge proportions, strong enough to uproot the trees on the marshy ground. The 

 legend has reference perhaps to some extinct anaconda of exceptional size, and 

 may be regarded as a lingering reminiscence of the serpent- worship which lies at 

 the origin of so many religious systems. 



Mr. Wells tells us that certain marshy districts called hnriti/zak are still the 

 haunts of enormous anacondas, of such a size that he hesitates to give their exact 

 length for fear of being charged with exaggeration. He adds, however, that they 

 are " certainly longer than I have ever heard of any species of snake in any part 

 of the globe." He was assured by the natives that cattle wading into the swamps 

 to drink water are often swallowed by the monsters, all but the head and horns, 

 and he seems to give some credence to the statement.* 



Inhabitants. 



Pre-historic remains abound on the seaboard, M'here hundreds of shell-mounds 

 are met, containing, like those of Europe, chipped stones and other objects of 

 primitive industry. In these tambaqui, vulgatly pronounced samhaqui, have also 

 been found skeletons belonging to very different types, usually seated and associ- 

 ated with vases, ornaments, weapons, and utensils, the implements being mostly 

 of basalt, but also of porphyry, quartz, and meteoric iron. 



* Three Thousand Miles Through Brazil, vol. II. p. 167. 



