OUTFIT FOR TRAVELLING 353 



birds also. The three- barrelled gun, combining a double shot-gun 

 and a rifle, is an excellent weapon, and it is particularly valuable 

 for the collector of natural-history specimens. A new gun has just 

 come on the market which may prove valuable in South America, 

 where there is such a variety of game, a four-barrel gun, weighing 

 only 8^ pounds. It has two shot-gun barrels, one 30- to 44!-calibre 

 rifle and the rib separating the shot-gun barrels is bored for a 

 22-calibre rifle cartridge. The latter is particularly adapted for the 

 large food birds, which a heavy rifle-bullet might tear. Twenty- 

 two-calibre ammunition is also very light and the long 22-calibre 

 exceedingly powerful. Unless in practice it proves too complicated, 

 it would seem to be a good arm for all-round use — 16- to 20-gauge 

 is large enough for the shot-gun barrels. Too much emphasis 

 cannot be placed upon the need of being provided with good 

 weapons. After the loss of all our arms in the rapids we secured 

 four poor, rusty rifles which proved of no value. We lost three 

 deer, a tapir, and other game, and finally gave up the use of the 

 rifles, depending upon hook and line. A 25- or 30-calibre high- 

 power automatic pistol with 6- or 7-inch barrel would prove a 

 valuable arm to carry always on the person. It could be used for 

 large game and yet would not be too large for food birds. It is to 

 be regretted that there is nothing in the market of this character. 



We had our rifle ammunition packed by the U.M.C. Company 

 in zinc cases of one hundred rounds each, a metallic strip with pull 

 ring closing the two halves of the box. Shot- cartridge, 16-gauge, 

 were packed the same way, twenty-five to the box. 



The explorer would do well always to have on his person a 

 compass, a light waterproof bag containing matches, a waterproof 

 box of salt, and a strong, light, linen or silk fish-line with several 

 hooks, a knife, and an automatic pistol at his belt, with several loaded 

 magazines for the latter in his pocket. Thus provided, if acci- 

 dentally lost for several days in the forest (which often happens to 

 the rubber-hunters in Brazil), he will be provided with the possi- 

 bility of getting game, and making himself shelter and fire at night. 



Fish. — For small fish like the pacu and piranha an ordinary bass 

 hook will do. For the latter, because of its sharp teeth, a hook 

 with a long shank and phosphor-bronze leader is the best ; the same 

 character of leader is best on the hook to be used for the big fish. 



23 



