SOUTH AMERICA. 



113 



and barefoot on the little inequalities of tlie ground, and Second 



Journey, 



show you how to pass on, unwounded, amid the mant- 



ling briars. 



Snakes, in these wilds, are certainly an annoyance, Saakes. 

 though perhaps more in imagination than in reality ; for 

 you must recollect that the serpent is never the first to 

 offend : his poisonous fang was not given him for con- 

 quest : he never inflicts a wound Avitli it, but to defend 

 existence. Provided you walk cautiously, and do not 

 absolutely touch him, you may pass in safety close by 

 him. As he is often coiled up on the ground, and 

 amongst the branches of the trees above you, a degree 

 of circumspection is necessary, lest you unwarily disturb 

 him. 



Tigers are too few, and too apt to fly before the noble Tigers, 

 face of man, to require a moment of your attention. 



The bite of the most noxious of the insects, at the 

 very worst, only causes a transient fever, with a degree 

 of pain more or less. 



Birds, in general, with a few exceptions, are not com- Birds. 



mon in the very remote parts of the forest. The sides 



of rivers, lakes, and creeks, the borders of savannas, the 



■old abandoned habitations of Indians, and wood-cutters, 



iseem to be their favourite haunts. 



Though least in size, the glittering mantle of the Hum- Humming- 

 bird. 



aning-bird entitles it to the first place in the list of the 

 birds of the new world. It may truly be called the bird 



Q 



