376 
GUATEMALA. 
coloradias are troublesome about the towns and where 
there is uncleanness. The garrapatos (.Ixodes bovis ) are 
often found on horses and other animals, and when full 
are as large as a coffee-bean. Man does not escape this 
pest; but they are so large that they are easily picked 
off, especially if one has a monkey. 
Among the mollusks the conch holds an important place 
both as an article of food and as an instrument' of noise. 
Three kinds are distinguished, — the queen , king , and 
horse ; the two last being the best for eating, while the 
first is much sought for cameo-cutting. A fine pink pearl 
is found in some of the shells. I consider a conch-soup 
quite equal to oyster-soup; but it is said (with some rea¬ 
son) to be a strong aphrodisiac. Madrepores, corals, sea- 
fans, and the varied inhabitants of reefs, are found in 
considerable variety, and are now the subject of collection 
and study by at least two competent observers. Jelly¬ 
fish {Medusae ), Portuguese men-of-war (. Physalia ), and 
star-fish {Asterias) are abundant, and a naturalist w r ould 
have a good harvest on the cayos and reefs of the Bay of 
Honduras. 
Passiflora Brighami, Watson. 
