212 
ANIMALS. 
perhaps, most numerous through* that portion of the country 
lying immediately south of the Jaltepec River, where they are 
not exposed to the ravages of fire or water. The inhabitants of 
the country, though traversing it in every direction with their 
feet and limbs exposed, are seldom bitten. 
Excellent fish are found in great profusion in all the rivers 
and arroyos that drain the slopes of the Cordillera, particularly 
in the smaller streams. In most of the larger ones there are 
many varieties of good size and fine quality ; indeed, fish con- 
stitutes an important item of food for the inhabitants. Those 
living at Santa Maria Chimalapa, having but few domestic ani- 
mals and no means of killing game, subsist almost entirely 
upon the fish obtained from the Rio del Corte. These are 
taken in such numbers, that they are salted and transported to 
supply the towns of the central division. 
A species of vine known by botanists as the Sajpindus Sapo- 
naria is used in catching fish. The fibres of this plant, when 
beaten and strewn on the w r ater, exercise an intoxicating influ- 
ence, which causes the fish to rise stupefied to the surface, where 
they are readily taken. This mode of fishing, although pro- 
hibited under severe penalties, is, nevertheless, extensively prac- 
tised by the natives. 
The great abundance of fish may be inferred from the im- 
mense numbers of aquatic birds which subsist upon them. 
Indeed there is, perhaps, no country in the world, situate within 
the same parallels of latitude, that produces an equivalent 
quantity and variety of fish and wild game as the Isthmus. 
We must not, however, close this description of the animal 
productions of this region without glancing at the numerous in- 
sect tribes, some species of which, on account of their immense 
numbers and peculiarly blood-thirsty character, are deserving 
of particular notice. Of the more troublesome insects, bugs, 
spiders, &c, we may mention the Musquito or Zancudo, Roda- 
dor* Broca, Tala/ja, Tick, Garrapata, Pinolillo, Chigoe, Moya- 
qidL Flea, Ant, Centipede, Scorpion, Tarantula, &c. Fortunately 
this formidable list of noxious insects is not folly represented at 
* Rodador signifies " vagabond." 
