38 



CHARLES DARWIN 



as we approached the equator, had not destroyed all the 

 individuals, there can be no doubt that this last step would 

 have completed its structure. Although so well-known an 

 experiment, it was interesting to watch the gradual produc- 

 tion of every essential organ, out of the simple extremity 

 of another animal. It is extremely difficult to preserve these 

 Planarise; as soon as the cessation of life allows the ordi- 

 nary laws of change to act, their entire bodies become soft 

 and fluid, with a rapidity which I have never seen equalled. 



I first visited the forest in which these Planariae were 

 found, in company with an old Portuguese priest who took 

 • me out to hunt with him. The sport consisted in turning 

 into the cover a few dogs, and then patiently waiting to fire 

 at any animal which might appear. We were accompanied 

 by the son of a neighbouring farmer — a good specimen of 

 a wild Brazilian youth. He was dressed in a tattered old 

 shirt and trousers, and had his head uncovered: he carried 

 an old-fashioned gun and a large knife. The habit of carry- 

 ing the knife is universal; and in traversing a thick wood 

 it is almost necessary, on account of the creeping plants. 

 The frequent occurrence of murder may be partly attributed 

 to this habit. The Brazilians are so dexterous with the 

 knife, that they can throw it to some distance with precision, 

 and with sufficient force to cause a fatal wound. I have seen 

 a number of little boys practising this art as a game of play, 

 and from their skill in hitting an upright stick, they promised 

 well for more earnest attempts. My companion, the day 

 before, had shot two large bearded monkeys. These animals 

 have prehensile tails, the extremity of which, even after 

 death, can support the whole weight of the body. One of 

 them thus remained fast to a branch, and it was necessary 

 to cut down a large tree to procure it. This was soon effected, 

 and down came tree and monkey with an awful crash. Our 

 day's sport, besides the monkey, was confined to sundry small 

 green parrots and a few toucans. I profited, however, by my 

 acquaintance with the Portuguese padre, for on another 

 occasion he gave me a fine specimen of the Yagouaroundi 

 cat 



Every one has heard of the beauty of the scenery near 

 'Botofogo. The house in which I lived was seated close 



