L E T T ER X V I.
On Natural H istory in general.—How to secure the Houses in Surinam
from Insects.— On the large White Caterpillar o f Surinam__
Curious Spider. — Snakes and Serpents.—The R a ttle Snake.—
Frog with a Tail— American Cameleon or Agamma o f Surinam.
—Argus Collibri, a fine Species o f Humming Bird.— Different singing
Btrds.— On the Rooks o f Surinam.—Parrots and Paroquet*_
L ittle Grass Paroquet.—Quadrupeds.—The Sloth.— L ittle A n t-
eater i—■Paca and Cavey.—-Quadrumanes.
M y D e a r .S i r , Paramaribo, May ]4<A.
Y o u expect from me some remarks upon the natural history of
this country ; but with jregard to botany, you will soon have an
ample description by Mr. B—m, who was sent by the Former'
Dutch government as gardener and botanist to Surinam, and from
his having resided here several years, his publication will certainly
be received in Europe with great eagerness, especially as the study
of botany is at present held in such high esteem, and in England
is so extensively protected by the worthy President of the Royal
Society. Though England by its extensive -commerce is also
able to make the greatest additions to the history 5f.. animals, yet
of late I know of no more interesting publication in that language,
than the General Zoology; in France, the recent publication
of Buffon’s Natural History, with the additions of the learned naturalists
of that country, makes it the most complete work in
this science which has ever been executed. In Italy, a late
naturalist has made some very interesting discoveries; but it were to
be wished, that many of his experiments upon Irving animals had
been less» cruel, and | in , particular, where the result; could lead to
nothing more than merely the gratification of curiosity., Germany
having but few commercial .connections extending beyond Europe,
has hitherto been prevented from making any great discoveries ip the
natural history of distant countries ; but much may be expected by
her from the; extraordinary genius and talents of one person, who
may be properly called the German Pliny, and who is how making
researches, in. a part of the world,. Mrliich not only abounds in mineral
riches, but is equally remarkable for numerous and most interesting
varieties in all the productions of nature.
lAnather German patriot employs a part of his considerable fortune
in making collections, and endeavouring to enrich the national cabinets.^
vith alfthe branches of natural history, for which purpose he
lias lately sent a person to the Amazon river, the, country about
which abounds ,in the same species of animals which are in Surinam;
k therefore, my dear friend, what new discoveries. can you
.expect.-me to, send you ? Few -however as they may Be, I feel the
greatest pleasure in communicating them to(,ypu,,<That part qf
nature to which ^ h a v e devoted my principal attention and enquiries
has heen the animated creation, and particularly in making
observations on the animal instinct- The various means made
use of by the different species to preserve life, and for the continuance
of their species, as well as their whole economy; but I have
not yet had an opportunity pf obserying them minutely, where it
could be done to the best advantage,- i,n the uncultivated and more
interior parts of the colony; and I found it-very difficult even to
obtain the animals, which are brought to Paramaribo for sale, as
the Indians, and above all the bush-negroes, wish often to exchange
them for gunpowder,., the sale of which government has strongly prohibited
; but with those trading captains who do nht'always know