Snakes and Spiders. 483 



eutering the nether openings of individuals while bathing ; 

 hut I did not meet with one confirmatory case. Vam- 

 pire Bats, measuring two feet in expanse, are not uncom- 

 mon on the Middle Amazons ; but they are more diabol- 

 ical in appearance than in heart. Bates considei's them 

 the most harmless of bats. It is true, however, that small, 

 gray Phyllostomas and large-eared Dymjpes do bleed men 

 and beasts of burden. 



The most unwelcome snakes are — the spotted Jararaca 

 iijrasjpedocephalits atrox) and the Surucucii {Lachesis mti- 

 tus) of the Lower Amazons and Upper Kegro; the green 

 Urrito-machacui, or " Parrot Snake ;" large, yellowish Hu- 

 aninda, and little brown-banded Ilergon of the Maranon; 

 the beautiful Coral -snakes, vermilion, with black bauds, 

 frequenting cacao -plantations; and Rattle -snakes in the 

 dry forests. There are few venomous species at the alti- 

 tude of 3000 feet, and none over 6000.'^^ The Anaconda, 

 or Sucurujii {Eunectes inurinus) is not venomous, and rare- 

 ly attacks man. It is, however, more formidable than the 

 Boa-constrictor, the Jiboa of the natives. Anacondas have 

 occasionally been seen twenty-six feet long ; and the hoofs 

 of horses have been found in the excrements. 



After Snakes, the large hairy Spiders (especially the 

 Mygale avioularia, two inches long, called by natives 

 " Crab-spiders ") are most to be dreaded, for they lurk any 

 where, and their bite is often fatal. Centipedes and Scor- 

 pions are repulsive enough, but their wound is seldom dan- 

 gerous. The largest Centipede I have heard of measured 

 eleven inches. "After twelve years in the tropics (says 



* A cup of strong coffee, brandy, or some other diffusive stimulant is eflS- 

 cacious to keep up the action of the heart, when bitten. I suggest, also, a 

 dose of quinine. But the wound should be cauterized. After a few minutes, 

 any external application, as ammonia, is of no use. All Indians have the 

 superstition that it is unlucky for a woman to kill a snake. Tigs and Trumpet- 

 l)irds are natural enemies of snakes. 



