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ordinary phenomenon. The earth, drenched 

 with rain, ana heated again by the rays of the 

 sun, emits that musky odour, which under the 

 torrid zone is common to animals of very dif- 

 ferent classes, to the jaguar, the small species of 

 tiger cat, the thick-nosed tapir*, the galinazo 

 vulture-}-, the crocodile, vipers, and rattlesnakes. 

 The gaseous emanations, which are the vehicles 

 of this aroma (odour), seem to be evolved in pro- 

 portion only as the mould, containing the spoils 

 of an innumerable quantity of reptiles, worms, 

 and insects, begins to be impregnated with wa- 

 ter. I have seen Indian children, of the tribe of 

 the Chaymas, draw out from the earth and eat 

 millepedes or scolopendras ^ eighteen inches 

 long, and seven lines broad. Whenever the soil 

 is turned up, we are struck with the mass of or- 

 ganic substances, which by turns are developed, 

 transformed, and decomposed. Nature in these 

 climates appears more active, more fruitful, we 

 might even say more prodigal of life. 



On this shore, and near the dairies of which 

 we have just spoken, we enjoy, especially at sun- 



* Cavia capybara, Lin. j chiguire. 



f Vultur aura, Lin., zamuro, or galmazo. The Brasilian 

 vulture of Buffon. I cannot reconcile myself to the adoption 

 of names, which designate as belonging to a single country 

 animals common to a whole continent. 



% Scolopendras are very common behind the castle of St. 

 Antonio, on the summit of the hill. 



