


















36 AN AFTERNOON IN NICARAGUA. 
ever, to our departure, a person showed us a bottle of whis- 
key, which he asserted contained the most poisonous reptile 
extant. On examination it proved to be a specimen of a 
very beautiful snake, banded with red, black, white and 
cream-color, and of a genus (Elaps? euryxanthus Ken.) 
which is perfectly harmless. In vain we pointed out the : 
jaws, totally destitute of fangs, and almost toothless, and i 
were again assured that it was the far-famed “coral snake,” 
of which the bite was inevitably followed by a bloody sweat, - 
and death in most awful agonies. Not wishing to waste 
time in discussing the point, we separated, each striking - 
-.into the heavy growth of bushes back of the town, or follow- 
ing the sandy beach to the entrance of the lagoon, now no 
longer a harbor. 
I pushed into the jungle by a narrow foot-path winding | 
among the trees, which, with the vines and even the grasses, | 
appeared each one to vie with all others in the production of 3 
hooks, thorns and prickles. The mosquitoes, too, were by ; 
no means idle. The path soon brought me tothe edge of - 
a small lagoon, surrounded with trees and vines, dg pre- 
senting a most beautiful scene. Here and there on the sunny — 
side a a log, were small lizards with their sides brightly 
banded with metallic blue or green, chestnut and black. 
Everything was quiet, but a mellow humming told of insect 
life hovering among the green leaves. | 
The most noticeable among the many plants which were E 
growing in the water, was a gigantic Sagittaria, rising above - 
the water six or eight feet; its beautiful pointed leaves and - 
white flowers bearing a great similarity to the common . 
Arrow-head of the Massachusetts ponds. Rich crimson | 
orchids were to be seen growing in the branches of the — 
higher trees; but, after considerable exertion, having dis- 
lodged one of them, I was disappointed by finding it coarse — | 
and noniine. on a nearer inspection. Leaves of a nymph- 
plant, like oi yel Mrs but no flowers, were - 


