383 



nected with what I have often observed be- 

 tween the tropics, relatively to other classes 

 of animals that live in society, for instance* 

 monkeys and crocodiles. In the Missions of 

 the Oroonoko, and the river of Amazons, the 

 Indians, who catch monkeys to sell them, know 

 very well, that they can easily succeed in tam- 

 ing those, which inhabit certain islands ; while 

 monkeys of the same species, caught on the 

 neighbouring continent, die of terror or rage 

 when they find themselves in the power of man. 

 The crocodiles of one pool in the Llanos are 

 cowardly, and flee even in the water ; while 

 those of another attack with extreme intrepid- 

 ity. It would be difficult to explain this differ- 

 ence of manners and habits, by the aspect of 

 their respective localities. The sharks of the 

 port of La Guayra seem to furnish an analo- 

 gous example. They are dangerous and blood- 

 thirsty at the island opposite the coast of Ca- 

 raccas, at the Roques, at Bonayre, and at Cu- 

 rassao : while they forbear to attack persons 

 swimming in the ports of La Guayra and San- 

 ta Martha. The people, who, in order to sim- 

 plify the explanation of natural phenomena, 

 have always recourse to the marvellous, affirm^ 

 that in both places a bishop gave his benedic- 

 tion to the sharks. 



The situation of La Guayra is very singular, 

 and can only be compared to that of Santa 



