FISHING WITH HORSES. 



169 



the common people and Indians, that for some time 

 no specimens could be procured, and one which was 

 at length brought to them afforded very unsatisfac- 

 tory results. 



On the 19th March, at an early hour, they set off 

 for the village of Rastro de Abaxo, whence they 

 were conducted by the natives to a stream which, 

 in the dry season, forms a pool of muddy water sur- 

 rounded by trees. It being very difficult to catch 

 the gymnoti with nets, on account of their extreme 

 agility, it was resolved to procure some by intoxi 

 eating or benumbing them with the roots of certain 

 plants, which when thrown into the water produce 

 that effect. At this juncture the Indians informed 

 them that they would fish with horses, and soon 

 brought from the savanna about thirty of these ani- 

 mals, which they drove into the pool. 



" The extraordinary noise caused by the horses' 

 hoofs makes the fishes issue from the mud, and ex- 

 cites them to combat. These yellowish and livid 

 eels, resembling large aquatic snakes, swim at the 

 surface of the water, and crowd under the bellies 

 of the horses and mules. The struggle between 

 animals of so different an organization affords a very 

 interesting sight. The Indians, furnished with har- 

 poons and long slender reeds, closely surround the 

 pool. Some of .them climb the trees, whose branches 

 stretch horizontally over the water. By their wild 

 cries and their long reeds they prevent the horses 

 from coming to the edge of the basin. The eels, 

 stunned by the noise, defend themselves by repeated 

 discharges of their electrical batteries, and for a 

 long time seem likely to obtain the victory. Several 

 horses sink under the violence of the invisible blows 

 which they receive in the organs most essential to 

 life, and, benumbed by the force and frequency of 

 the shocks, disappear beneath the surface. Others, 

 panting, with erect mane, and haggard eyes expres- 

 sive of anguish, raise themselves and endeavour to 

 P 



