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Show TEl'PES AND DE 'ERTS. 39 im-olunt:lrily of the capability of conforming to the most varied circum tance, with which tb all-providing Author of Nature bas endowed certain animals and plant . The ox and the hor e, like the farinaceous cerealia, have followed man O'i'er the whole surface of the globe, from India to Northern iberia, from the Gange, to the River Plate, from the African sea shore to the mountain plateau of Anti ana, (u) which is higher than the ummit of the Peak of Teneriffe. The ox wearied from the plough repo e , heltered from the noontide sun in one country by the quivering hadow of the northern birch, and in another by the date palm. The same species which, in the east of Europe, has to encounter the attacks of bears and wolves, is exposed iu other regions to the a ault of tigers and crocodiles. But the crocodile and jaguar are not the only assailants of the outh American horses; they have also a dangerous enemy among fishes. The marshy waters of Bera and Rastro (42) are filled with numberle s electric eels, which can at pleasure send a powerful discharge from any part of their slimy, yellow-spotted bodies. These g_ymnoti are from five to six feet in length, and are powerful enough to kill the largest animals when they discharge their nervous organs at once in a favorable direction. The route from Uritucu through the Steppe was formerly obliged to be changed, because the gymnoti had increased to such numbers in a small stream that, in crossing it, many horses were drowned every year, either from the effects of the shocks they received, or from fright. All other fishes fly the vicinity of these formidable eels. E'i'en the fisherman angling from the high bank fears lest the damp line should convey the shock to him from a distance. Thus, in these regions, electric fire breaks forth from the bosom of the waters. The capture of the gymnoti affords a picturesque spectacle. Mules and.horses are driven into a marsh which is closely surrounded by Indians, until the unwonted noise and disturbance induce the pugnacious fish to begin an attack. One sees them swimming about like serpents, and trying cunningly to glide under the bellies of the horses. l\Iany of these are stunned by the force of the invisible blows; others, with manes standing on end, foaming, and with wild terror sparkling in their eyes, try to fly from the raging tempest. |
