e wealth, not only of Southern Venezuela,
but of central New Grenada; and then a day may come when the
admirable harbour of Chaguaramas may be one of the entrepots of the
world; if a certain swamp to windward, which now makes the place
pestilential, could but be drained. The usual method of so doing
now is to lay the swamp as dry as possible by open ditches, and then
plant it, with coconuts, whose roots have some mysterious power both
of drying and purifying the soil; but were Chaguaramas ever needed
as an entrepot, it would not be worth while to wait for coconuts to
grow. A dyke across the mouth, and a steam-pump on it, as in the
fens of Norfolk and of Guiana, to throw the land-water over into the
sea, would probably expel the evil spirit of malaria at once and for
ever.

We rowed on past the Boca de Monos, by which we had entered the gulf
at first, and looked out eagerly enough for sharks, which are said
to swarm at Chaguaramas. But no warning fin appeared above the
ripple; only, more than once, close to the stern of the boat, a
heavy fish broke water with a sharp splash and swirl, which was said
to be a Barracouta, following us up in mere bold curiosity, but
perfectly ready to have attacked any one who fell overboard. These
Barracoutas--Sphyraenas as the learned, or 'pike' as the sailors
call them, though they are no kin to our pike at home--are, when
large, nearly as dangerous as a shark. In some parts of the West
Indies folk dare not bathe for fear of them; for they lie close
inshore, amid the heaviest surf; and woe to any living thing which
they come across. Moreover, they have this somewhat mean advantage
over you, that while, if they eat you, you will agree with them
perfectly, you cannot eat them, at least at certain or uncertain
seasons of the year, without their disagreeing with you, without
sickness, trembling pains in all joints, falling off of nails and
hair for years to come, and possible death. Those who may wish to
know more of the poisonous fishes of the West Indies may profitably
consult a paper in the Proceedings of the Scientific Association of
Trinidad by that admirable naturalist, and--let me say of him
(though I have not the honour of knowing him) what has long been
said by all who have that honour--admirable man, the Hon. Richard
Hill of Jamaica. He mentions some thirteen species which are more
or less poisonous, at all events at times: but on the ca