286 ANGOSTURA—CROCODILES. 
built of stone; although the town is not exempt 
from earthquakes. At the period of this visit the 
population was only 6000. There is little variety in 
the surrounding scenery; but the view of the river is 
singularly majestic. When the waters are high they 
inundate the quays, and it sometimes happens that 
even in the streets imprudent persons fall a prey to 
the crocodiles, which are very numerous. 
Humboldt relates that, at the time of his stay 
at Angostura, an Indian from the island of Mar- 
garita having gone to anchor his canoe in a cove 
where there were not three feet of water, a very 
fierce crocodile that frequented the spot seized him 
by the leg and carried him off. With astonishing 
~ eourage he searched for a knife in his pocket, but 
not finding it, thrust his fingers into the animal’s 
eyes. The monster, however, did not let go his 
hold, but plunged to the bottom of the river, and, 
after drowning his victim, came to the surface and 
dragged the body to an island. 
The number of individuals who perish annually 
in this manner is very great, especially in villages 
where the neighbouring grounds are inundated. 
The same crocodiles remain long in the same places, 
and become more daring from year to year, espe- 
cially, as the Indians assert, if they have once tasted 
human flesh. They are not easily killed, as their skin 
is impenetrable,—the throat and the space beneath 
the shoulder being the only parts where a ball or 
spear canenter. The natives catch them with large 
iron hooks baited with meat, and attached to a chain 
fastened to a tree. After the animal has struggled 
for a considerable time, they attack it with lances. _ 
Affecting examples are related of the intrepidity 
