( 80 ) 



the productions of which, as well as the mode of culture pursued^ 

 were similar to those I have already described. Our next recreation 

 was hunting the deer. Let not the reader imagine that I am going 

 to lead him a chase through miles of country with a pack of hounds 

 and a joyous company of horsemen ; the mode of hunting in Brazil 

 affords no such diversion. Three or four men go out armed with 

 guns and attended by two or three dogs ; the men separate and 

 wait in some open place ; meanwhile the dogs quest among the 

 plantations and thickets ; if they find, they drive the game out> 

 which the hunters immediately shoot. The deer are small, and 

 of the fallow kind ; but their flesh is not esteemed. 



The wild animals of this district are chiefly monkej'^s, sloths, a 

 variety of the porcupine, and opossums. These, and other predatory 

 beasts, make great havoc among the poultry. Of the feathered 

 tribe there are not many varieties ; I shot several becassinas and 

 beautiful lapwings * with red horns on each pinion, about half an 

 inch in length. Here are great numbers of parrots and parroquets. 



The vampire-bat, so often described by travellers, is a most for- 

 midable foe to the horses and mules. If he gets access to them in 

 the night, he fixes on the neck-vein, above the shoulder, and sucks it 

 to such a degree as to leave the animal almost covered with blood> 

 fanning with his wings all the while he retains his hold, in order (as 

 it should seem) to lull the pain caused by his bite. 



The garden has a bed of fine potatoes, wliich were planted three 

 or four years ago by Mr. Quarten, from Gibraltar. They are suf- 

 fered to grow and reproduce themselves from season to season, none 

 being taken up unless when wanted for food. Cabbages and other 

 vegetables for the table grow in abundance. 



* In the Spanish territories they are called disperteros (awak^ners), on account of the noise- 

 they make when disturbed in the night, A flock of them in any plantation answers th? p«r-» 

 pp.se of ?n aljarm-hell against thieve?. ' , , 



