at, nor do they attain so considerable a size as
in other equatorial regions. The serpents are to be feared, and on
approaching them, it is not easy to decide at the first view whether
they belong to a poisonous or innoxious species. In the forests, where
the fallen leaves lie in thick, moist layers, the foot of the hunter
sinks deep at every step. Multitudes of venomous amphibia are hatched
in the half-putrescent vegetable matter, and he who inadvertently steps
on one of these animals may consider himself uncommonly fortunate if he
can effect his retreat without being wounded. But it is not merely in
these places, which seem assigned by nature for their abode, that
loathsome reptiles are found: they creep between the roots of large
trees, under the thickly interwoven brushwood, on the open grass plots,
and in the maize and sugar-cane fields of the Indians: nay, they crawl
even into their huts, and most fortunate is it for the inhabitants of
those districts that the number of the venomous, compared with the
innoxious reptiles, is comparatively small. Of the poisonous serpents,
only a few kinds are known whose bite is attended with very dangerous
consequences. The _Miuamaru_, or _Jergon_ (_Lachesis picta_, Tsch.), is,
at most, three feet long, with a broad, heart-shaped head, and a thick
upper lip. It haunts the higher forests, while in those lower down his
place is filled by his no less fearful relative _Flammon_ (_Lachesis
rhombeata_, Prince Max.), which is six or seven feet in length. These
serpents are usually seen coiled almost in a circle, the head thrust
forward, and the fierce, treacherous-looking eyes glaring around,
watching for prey, upon which they pounce with the swiftness of an
arrow; then, coiling themselves up again, they look tranquilly on the
death-struggle of the victim. It would appear that these amphibia have
a perfect consciousness of the dreadful effect of their poisonous
weapon, for they use it when they are neither attacked nor threatened,
and they wound not merely animals fit for their food, but all that
come within their reach. More formidable than the two snakes just
described, but happily much less common, is the brown, ten-inch long
viper.[93] It is brown, with two rows of black circular spots. The
effect of its bite is so rapid, that it kills a strong man in two or
three minutes. So convinced are the natives of its inevitably fatal
result, that they never seek any remedy; but immediately on r