Zoology of Panama. 3319 



hurried back to the beach, and arrived quite exhausted from the exer- 

 tion he had made to regain a free place. The cause of the sounds 

 was soon ascertained, and he became for several days the laughing- 

 stock of his companions. 



Of Neuroptera, dragon-flies and various kinds of ants may be enu- 

 merated. The Arriero (Atta, sp.) is about an inch long, and very 

 destructive to plantations. It forms regular roads, occasionally from 

 one to two miles long, and is always carrying portions of leaves, flow- 

 ers, and other substances, mostly exceeding its own weight. A ho- 

 ney-bee is frequent, and being stingless, may be robbed of its stores 

 without difficulty. Another species of bee produces a black wax, 

 which is used for candles. 



Butterflies appear in great numbers in the beginning of the wet 

 season ; but though some are of exquisite beauty and large size, the 

 generality are small, and do not display that brilliancy of colours to 

 which the eye is accustomed in the Tropics. Mosquitoes and sand- 

 flies are the scourge of the sea-coast, but they are little experienced 

 in the interior. 



One of the most annoying animals to mankind is the Gusano del 

 monte, or Guinea-worm, (Filaria, sp.) Entering the flesh, espe- 

 cially the vicinity of the knee, as a being almost invisible to the 

 naked eye, it has grown, in about six weeks, to the length of an inch, 

 and the thickness of a good-sized quill. The place where it remains 

 has at first the appearance of a mere pimple, but gradually becomes 

 more inflamed, causing stiffness in the legs, and extreme pain. The 

 worm should be cut out, or else it will attack the bone. Unluckily, it 

 is seldom discovered before it has attained some size, as the general- 

 ity of people look upon the wound as a mere sore, and apply every 

 remedy save the right one. 



Domestic animals were unknown before the arrival of the Span- 

 iards ; they are now widely diffused, but have degenerated, probably 

 as much from want of proper attention, as from the climate. Cats 

 and dogs are small and lean ; the latter, it is w T ell known, terrified the 

 Indians when first coming in contact with them ; now, however, that 

 the utility of dogs is understood, an Indian is seldom seen without a 

 couple of them, and he will gladly exchange his produce to procure 

 additional ones. In towns, the Barbary or Guinea dog, the most ugly 

 of its race, is frequently seen. Never barking, and having a skin des- 

 titute of hair, it is a favourite with the old and infirm, who take it to 

 bed with them, in order to warm their feet. 



