141 
Mr. 0. Salving Quesal-shooting in Vera Paz. 
dwindle, I sound a retreat, as, had we been left in darkness, 
no amount of groping would bring us out. This cave would 
appear to be of great length; the river that flows from it 
forms no mean stream. On leaving the cave I begin to collect 
ferns, many species of which are growing about the rocks and 
surrounding trees*. Whilst thus engaged, a shower of fruit 
from a neighbouring tree calls my attention, and looking up, I 
spy a f Mico leon * (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus ) regaling himself 
on a well-loaded bough. 1 immediately send a boy back for my 
gun, which I have left at the mouth of the cave, intending to 
return. Mico leon however makes off, but Cipriano and Filipe 
are soon on his track. The latter fires a shot, and I another, 
when the animal falls into the water and swims to the other side. 
Not being able to climb the bank, two Indians strip off their only 
garment, swim the river, despatch Mico leon, and bring him over 
between them. These Indians swim well and rapidly, striking 
out first with one arm and then the other, throwing each out of 
the water at every stroke. 
March 9.—A downpour of rain, misty, drizzling, continuous. 
However, Cipriano and I pay a visit to the cave, but the forest 
being too wet to shoot, and rain falling, I collect ferns and land- 
shells under the shelter of the overhanging rock. On returning 
to the convent I am for the rest of the day beset with Indians, 
men and boys, women and girls, bringing lizards, snakes, &c., 
showing the same excellent collecting qualities as the Coban 
Indians. 
March 10.—Still raining in the same incessant way,—not 
a thunderstorm and clear sky afterwards, as during the rainy 
season in the neighbourhood of Guatemala. At Coban and the 
Alta Vera Paz, it seems to rain at any hour and at any season. 
March 11.—Still in Lanquin, but the weather decidedly im¬ 
proving. During the afternoon we go out to shoot. Observing 
on a pine-tree about a dozen nests of Ocyalus wagleri, with which 
the old birds are busy, I send for an axe and have the tree cut 
down, but find neither eggs nor young in the nests. The birds 
* The collection I made during this expedition, as well as all that I 
obtained in other places, I have submitted to Sir W. Hooker, who has most 
kindly named the whole for me. Amongst the species are several novelties. 
