1716 Animals of Peru . 



In a few hours we distinguished something like a long chain of rocks, falling off by a 

 gentle inclination at the two extremities, and elevated at the middle by only a few feet 

 over the level of the sea. Against this object the sea broke softly. As we approached, 

 we remarked that its different parts changed their position, and even their form, and 

 we became perfectly certain that it was not a reef. A little later, we distinguished by 

 the assistance of a telescope a long chain of enormous rings, resembling a number o 

 barrels linked together, and in form very like the back of a silk- worm. It was a three 

 quarter view of the object which we had first obtained. As the ship approached, these 

 appearances became more distinct, and we presently saw the extremity of an enormous 

 tail, longitudinally divided into two sections, white and black. This tail appeared to 

 wind itself up, aud repose on a part of the object itself. Then, at the other extremity, 

 we saw a membrane rising to the height of about two metres from the water, and in- 

 clining itself at a considerable angle upon the mass (without leaving it, however)'; and 

 this led me to conjecture that the monster before us was provided with an apparatus 

 for the purpose of respiration, like the lampreys. At last we perceived something like 

 an antenna rising from the water, to the great height of nearly eight metres, terminated 

 by a crescent of at least five metres from one extremity to the other. We could not 

 approach sufficiently near to acquire any very positive idea as to what we had seen ; 

 but everything led us to believe that it was an enormous serpent of at least 100 

 metres in length.'' — Journal du Havre, Sept. 15th, 1840. 



d 



Animal Life in the Peruvian Forests. — " Unlike the peaceful repose which presides 

 over animal life on the level heights, are the constant aggressions and combats which 

 prevail in the forest regions. There the strong attack the weak, and the cunning in- 

 veigle the unwary : strength and intelligence, caution and instinct, are unceasingly in 

 active operation. The variegated forms and colours which meet the eye, and the mul- 

 tifarious cries and tones which resound through the woods, form, altogether, the most 

 singular contrasts. The gold -feathered colibri hums lightly through the air, soaring 

 over the heavy, sombre-coloured tapir. The sprightly singing bird pours forth his 

 melodious chants amidst the thick foliage of the aged trees, whilst the fierce ounce, 

 prowling for his prey, growls as he passes over their enormous, spreading roots. Slowly 

 do the eye and the ear learn to distinguish individuals in the vast mass of ap- 

 parent chaotic confusion, and to recognise quickly fleeting forms, or distant resound- 

 ing sounds. 



" The whole of the animal world is here developed to the view, and it would be dif- 

 ficult to assign the predominance to any one class. Yet, perhaps, the variegated fea- 

 thered tribe is relatively most extensively represented. The number of the Mamma- 

 lia is also important. They are seldom seen by the hunter during the day, but twi- 

 light draws them from their hiding-places. 



" Troops of monkeys skip from tree to tree, looking timidly around, and uttering 

 mournful howls. Among them are swarms of the black marimonda (Ateles), with slen- 

 der long arms and red-brown or black faces ; in some the faces are encircled with 

 white hair (Ateles marginatus, Geoff.), which gives them a striking resemblance to an 

 old negro. Next is seen a group of silver-gray monkeys (Lagothrix Humboldtii, 

 CieorT.), stalking over heaps of broken branches and twigs in search of a resting-place. 



