64 
LETTESS PEO.M ALABAMA. 
and often inflict severe wounds with their sharp 
tusks upon the dogs that are not well trained ; 
young dogs in particular frequently suffer for their 
temerity. When wanted for food, the rifle-ball 
puts the period to the chase, but the pigs are often 
marked on the ear, and turned adrift again. These 
marks are considered a token of ownership, and 
are always respected by those who make any pre- 
tensions to honour. 
JSTow, then, that we are returned, as supper is not 
quite ready, perhaps you are not so fatigued but 
that you would prefer walking in the garden to 
sitting in the house. Although the twilight is fast 
fading into darkness, and therefore the brilliant 
tints and elegant forms of the flowers will be lost 
upon our unperceiving eyes, yet we shall not be 
without enjoyment : the sweetest fragrance is given 
out in the dewy evening ; in the dusty, scorching, 
glaring day, we walk amongst the blossoms and 
admire their beauty, but wonder they are so scent- 
less ; but when night has begun to cool the atmo- 
sphere, and the exhaled vapours descend, then the 
air is loaded with perfume ; from bud, leaf, and 
flower, from garden, field, and forest, the odours 
throng upon our senses. 
The Guinea-fowds have ended their pertinacious 
clack, and have retired to their roost ; the field- 
negroes have turned their mules into the yard ; and 
the Mocking-bird is sweetly serenading his mate in 
the neighbouring wood. But here : look at this 
bush covered with blossoms ; it is still light enough 
to discern their beauty, if you stoop down : the 
flowers are numerous, tubular, bright yellow, some- 
times pink, sometimes both hues united. The 
plant is the Marvel of Peru {M{rahilisjalapa)jQ>dl\Q(i 
