Chap. II. 
A NEW INSECT PEST. 
Ill 
Malagueita, a mameluco settler, whom we had been 
recommended to visit. His house and outbuildings 
were extensive, the grounds well wooded, and the whole 
wore an air of comfort and well-being which is very 
uncommon in this country. A bank of indurated white 
clay sloped gently up from the tree-shaded port to the 
house, and beds of kitchen-herbs extended on each 
side, with (rare sight !) rose and jasmine trees in full 
bloom. Senhor Antonio, a rather tall middle-aged 
man with a countenance beaming with good nature, 
came down to the port as soon as we anchored. I was 
quite a stranger to him, but he had heard of my 
coming and seemed to have made preparations. I never 
met with a heartier welcome. On entering the house, 
the wife, who had more of the Indian tint and features 
than her husband, was equally warm and frank in 
her greeting. Senhor Antonio had spent his younger 
days at Para, and had acquired a profound respect 
for Englishmen. I stayed here two days. My host 
accompanied me in my excursions ; in fact, his atten- 
tions, with those of his wife and the host of relatives 
of all degrees who constituted his household, were quite 
troublesome, as they left me not a moment's privacy 
from morning till night. 
We had together several long and successful rambles 
along a narrow pathway which extended several miles 
into the forest. I here met with a new insect pest, one 
which the natives may be thankful is not spread more 
widely over the country : it was a large brown fly of the 
Tabanidae family (genus Pangonia), with a proboscis 
half an inch long and sharper than the finest needle. 
