188 



MANATEES. 



of the Cano del Manati, so named on account of trie 

 vast number of manatees caught there. This aquatic 

 herbivorous animal generally attains the length of 

 ten or twelve feet, and abounds in the Orinoco below 

 the cataracts, the Rio Meta, and the Apure. The 

 flesh, although very savoury and resembling pork, is 

 considered unwholesome ; but it is in request during 

 Lent, being classed by the monks among fishes. 

 The fat is used for lamps in the churches, as well as 

 for cooking ; while the hide is cut into slips to supply 

 the place of cordage. Whips are also made of it in 

 the Spanish colonies for the castigation of negroes 

 and other slaves. The fires lighted by the boatmen 

 on the shore attracted the crocodiles and dolphins. 

 Two persons kept watch during the night. A jaguar 

 with her cub approached the encampment, but was 

 driven away by the attendants ; and soon after the 

 dog was bitten in the nose by a large bat or vam- 

 pire. 



On the 4th they intended to pass the night at 

 Vuelta del Palmito ; but as the Indians were going 

 to sling the hammocks they found two tigers con- 

 cealed behind a tree, and it was judged safer to re- 

 embark and sleep on the island of Apurito. Multi- 

 tudes of gnats made their appearance regularly at 

 simset, and covered their faces and hands. On the 

 5th they were much struck by the diminution the 

 waters of the Apure had undergone, which they 

 attributed chiefly to absorption by the sand and evap- 

 oration. It was only from 128 to 170 yards broad, 

 and about twenty feet deep. Humboldt estimates 

 the mean fall of this river at 14 inches in a mile. 

 The canoe touched several times on shoals as they 

 approached the point of junction, and it became ne- 

 cessary to tow it by means of a line. 



