1724 Animals of Peru. 



any evil effect. Besides the two plants mentioned above, many others are used with 

 more or less favourable results. The inhabitants of the montana also resort to other 

 means, which are too absurd to be detailed here ; yet their medicines are often of be- 

 nefit, foi their operation is violently reactive. They usually produce the effect of re- 

 peated emetics, and cause great perspiration. There is much difference in the modes 

 of external treatment of the wound, and burning is often employed. I saw an Indian 

 apply to his wife's foot, which had been bitten, a plaister, consisting of moist gun- 

 powder, pulverized sulphur, and finely-chopped tobacco, mixed up together. He laid 

 this over the wounded part and set fire to it. This application, in connexion with one 

 of the nausea-exciting remedies taken inwardly, had a successful result. 



" Innoxious* snakes wind on tendriled climbing plants, or lie like necklaces of 

 coral on the brown decayed leaves (Elaps ajfinis, Fits.). Where the branches of ri- 

 vers enter the gloomy forests and form little narrow lagunes, over which the high trees 

 spread in vaulted cupolas, almost impervious to the light of day, there dwells the pow- 

 erful giant snake (Eunectes murinus, Wagl.), called by the Indians, in their figurative 

 language, yacumamam, ' mother of the waters.' Stretched in listless repose, or wind- 

 ing round the stem of an old tree bathing her tail in the cool lagune, she watches 

 wistfully for the animals of the forest who come to the waters to quench their thirst. 

 Whilst she gazes at her distant prey, the fascinating power of her eyes seems to 

 subdue the trembling victim, and, unable even to attempt escape, he falls an easy 

 sacrifice. 



"The Amphibia of the frog species, which lie concealed in silent repose during the 

 day, raise, after sunset, their far-sounding voices. The violet coloured throat-bladder 

 (Cystignathus sylvestris, Tsch.) maintains his loud, uniform croak beneath the bushes, 

 or penetrates into the huts of the inhabitants. The trapichero, or 'sugar-mill frog,' is a 

 large species, almost half a foot in length. Its croak resembles very much the grating 

 sound caused by the working of a sugar-mill, for which reason the natives have given 

 it the name of trapichero, or the * sugar-miller.' The croaking of these frogs, whose 

 manifold tones blend together in confused union, augments not a little the distressing 

 dreariness of a forest night. 



" Of the numerous species of insects which swarm in these regions, few are re- 

 markable for beauty ; but many fix attention by their peculiar habits. The bites and 

 stings of numbers of them are very dangerous, and it requires much caution to guard 

 against their attacks. 



" Variegated butterflies flutter noiselessly among the spreading branches of the 

 trees, or sun themselves on the warm masses of fallen leaves. The most remarkable of 

 these butterflies is the large Atlas, whose brilliant blue tints shine out with lustrous 

 radiance in the dim light of the forest. Along the banks of rivers, and especially in 

 hot marshy pots, small musquitoes swarm. The bite of this animal produces an in- 

 tolerable burning sensation, and often causes considerable inflammation. But more 

 troublesome and also much more numerous, are the sancudos, or 'stinging-flies.' On 

 my first arrival in the montana, I lay several days exceedingly ill, in consequence of 

 severe swelling of the head and limbs, caused by the bites of these insects. To the 



* Sphenocephalus melanogenys, Tsch. ; Lygophis regince, Wagl. ; L. taniurus, Tsch. ; 

 L. elegans, Tsch. 



