210 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



The first Coppice which we passed sent out such a swarm of Mos- 

 quitos that our black coats appeared like a dappled brown. None of them 

 lighted on our guide, hereby giving some colour to his assertion, that he 

 is never annoyed by them. Our horses were tormented by another 

 insect, the Meruabuna, a species of Gad-fly. It is indeed, improperly 

 that this Indian compound is applied to the gad-fly, for it denotes such 

 winged insects only as collect in swarms, such as the bee, the wasp, 

 or hornet. By a similar combination, a convent of Jesuits is called 

 Oca-abuna, the house of the black swarm or family ; and an individual 

 of the community, Paye-abuna, a priest of the black family. 



At no great distance, an Emu started up, to which we gave chase, 

 putting our horses to their utmost speed ; the bird quickly left us far 

 behind, then closed its wings and stalked on in careless security. Though 

 the neighbouring sands are the natural haunt of these birds, they were 

 now numerous on the plains, having been driven hither, I suppose, by 

 dry weather ; we had, in consequence, several chases of the same kind, 

 all of them equally fruitless. On turning the corner of a wood, we 

 suddenly came within thirty yards of an Emu, followed by about sixty 

 young ones, which were probably several collected broods. She marched 

 ofl" with a stately step, carrying her head in a sort of semicircle, and 

 looking at us first with one eye, then with the other. We again followed 

 at full gallop ; but as the pursuit continued the distance sensibly increased. 

 The young birds clustered together, fluttered much, and advanced with 

 evident haste ; the pace of the old one was dignified and steady. She 

 showed no marks of weakness, fear, or stupidity ; on the contrary, while 

 concerned for the safety of her charge, she seemed^ desirous to save 

 them from unnecessary fatigue. Our guide entertained the common 

 opinion of the country, that it is the male bird, which in this way guides 

 and protects the young ; but, as more agreeable to the order of nature, I 

 have not hesitated to speak of the leader as a female. 



I kept one of these birds for some time, within a spacious Stockado, 

 until it became familiar, and occasionally impertinent. He allowed 

 me to stride over his back, and could just support my weight ; 



