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almost unknown; hogs and goats are more plentiful; of dogs there 

 are but few, and the race is very indifferent. Ounces are very sel- 

 dom seen ; there are not many deer ; the danta, or tapir, is not un- 

 common. 



Of birds there are a few varieties, but in no great numbers : par- 

 tridges are rather common ; we shot several in our way to the differ- 

 ent mines, which proved good eating. Domestic fowls are in tole- 

 rable plenty, but by no means cheap, being eighteen-pence to two 

 shillings each. 



Of serpents, I saw only one, and it was harmless : but I was in- 

 formed that the rattle-snake and the jararaca, both equally venom- 

 ous, are common in this district. Lizards are very numerous, and 

 the cayman, or alligator, is found in most of the rivers. 



Fish are extremely scarce in all the streams, owing to the quantity 

 of matter with which their waters are impregnated from the numerous 

 washings. 



This district is in general free from that troublesome plague, the 

 mosquito, as that insect is peculiar to low and swampy places, and 

 does not bite with such disagreeable effect in elevated and airy situ- 

 ations. Bees are but little attended to, and are scarcely known; 

 were the management of them better understood and practised by 

 the inhabitants, they might be much increased, and wax might even 

 be exported. 



In closing my observations on this district, I may be permitted to 

 add some particulars relative to the capital. The families whom I had 

 the honour to visit appeared to live in great sociability. They fre- 

 quently form tea-parties. The dress of the ladies consists almost, 

 entirely of articles of English manufacture, cotton prints, straw hats, 

 artificial flowers, jewelry, &c. Owing to the great distance of Tejuco 

 from a sea-port, piano-fortes have not been introduced here, or they 

 would probably be in great demand ; for the ladies in general have a 

 taste for music, and touch the guitar with great spirit and elegance. 

 Dancing is a favourite amusement, and all appear much pleased and 



