THE RUIN S. G ARRAPATA S. B LACK ANTS. 237 



that seen for the first time at Kewick, ornamented 

 with painting. 



This building stood in front of another more over- 

 grown and ruined, which had been an imposing and 

 important edifice. The plan was complicated, and 

 the exterior of one part was rounded, but the round- 

 ed part w^as a solid mass, and within the wall was 

 straight. In the back wall was a recess, once oc- 

 cupied, perhaps, by a statue. Altogether, there was 

 much about this edifice that was new and curious ; 

 and there were other cerros, or mounds, of undistin- 

 guishable ruins. 



Short as my visit was, there were few considera- 

 tions that could have tempted me to remain longer. 

 The garrapatas would soon be over, but they contin- 

 ued with the rainy season, and, in fact, increased 

 and multiphed. I discovered them the moment I 

 dismounted, and at first attempted to whip them off, 

 but wishing to get through before night, I hurried 

 round this building, creeping under branches and 

 tearing aside bushes, and, actually covered with the 

 abominable insects, started for the road. 



In hurrying forward I unwittingly crossed the track 

 of a processiontof large black ants. These proces- 

 sions are among the extraordinary spectacles of that 

 country, darkening the ground for an hour at a time ; 

 and the insect has a sting equal to that of hornets, 

 as I quickly learned on this occasion. When I 

 reached the road I was almost numbed with pain, 

 and when I mounted I felt that nothing could tempt 



