29 



and least frequented forests, are distinguished from 

 the African lion, both by their being without hair, 

 and their timidity ; there is no instance of their 

 ever having attacked a man, and a person may not 

 only travel, but lie down to sleep with perfect se- 

 curity, in any part of the plain, and even in the 

 thickest forests of the mountains. Neither tygers, 

 wolves, nor many other ferocious beasts that infest 

 the neighbouring countries, are known there. Pro- 

 bably the great ridge of the Andes which is every 

 where extremely steep, and covered with snow, 

 serves as a barrier to their passage. The mildness 

 of the climate may also be unfavourable to them, as 

 the greater part of these animals are natives of the 

 hottest countries. 



