and they begin their destruction of the carcase ‘before it can come
to petrifaction; hut in a climate like this, such an insect certainly
is very useful.
I have obtained thé large caterpillar covered with long white
hair, of which, if I recollect right, Madam Merian has given a drawing
and description,.but it is npt so Venomous as it’ is generally
represented ; it is said that'the hand swells by touching it, but I
have done this repeatedly without feeling any such effect, in the
presence of Mr. W —r—t, who told me, after speaking of this in
company with several gentlemen, that it was impossible for me to
escape such a sensation, unless I knew of some preventive drug,
with which I bathed my hands before I touched the inject: to make
further trial with this caterpillar, I put it with a lizard into a cage;
but the next morning I found thé lizard dead; it is therefore likely
that the bite of the caterpillar may be hurtful chiefly to small
animals. -
In my several journeys in the country, I have been bit once by
a centipede, and another time stung by a small scorpion, both in
the bight; the latter I found crushed to pieces!in my sleeve; but
it swelled no more, nor gaveme any more, pain than the sting of a
hornet probably does, and as soon passed away, by rubbbing the
place with a little sweet oil; and still more efficacy is attributed here
to theriaca, or venice treacle. The poison of the scorpions and centipedes
seem to act only upon the blood, as I have seen small monkeys
eating them frequently, without any apparent bad effect; there are
much larger scorpions in the interior part of the forest, and a centipede
which Was sent from'Fort Orange to town, measured above
eight inches. The wounds they inflict, are said to be very painful
and venomous, though not fatal. -
In my first journey to the Saramacca river, on the boat approaching
the bank, and touching the branchés: of the trees, an insect
fell ou the top of the cabin that had the appearancaof a tarantula;
1 i i H g
it was about half a n . inch long, of a light green colour, and
with yellow diagonal stripes ; the body was divided into tv^o parts,
of which the abdomen had th$ form of a pear: the insect resembled
muejh in its. general figure, the vagabond spider ; but its fore feet,
which were of a bluish colour, were armed with, claws, and the
animal turned them to every side where it expected to be attacked;
however, when I was going to proceed to a, clpse;:,inspection,.and
saying, This seems to be a tarantula, Mr. W. called out “ a taran-.
tula, oh, such a companión we do not want on board,” and at the.
same time, with a branch which he unfortunately had in his hand,
hè gave a sweep on the top. of the cabin, so that the insect dropped
into the water, and my, examination was at an end.
There is in the forests here, a black tarantula with yellow .claws,
on its forefeet; it is about an inch long, but I neyer heard of its
being venomous.
I have been told that in the interior parts, of the forests, there is
found a caterpillar, which makes coccoons of as fine a silk as those
of the silk worm, but of a much larger this should be*con-,
firmed, it would become an article^ of great,importance to the
colony.
Nothing frightens the Europeans on their first arrival herè, so.
much as the snakes and serpents, which they meet with in the
fields: but after a little experience they find that there are very
few venomous ones amongst them; and I can safely affirm, that as
long, as I have been in this country,, where in my walks into the
forest I have killed a great number of them, and mapy have been
sent me, none of the different species proved poisonous* a short
time since, Dr. D— b—s, who‘is as pleasant and obliging in society
as he is esteemed. in his profession, and has here the finest condition
of stuffed birds, had at last.jkÏÏé opportunity to shew me the
head of a venomous snake about an inch and half long, and about
an inch wide, almost of a triangular form,and flat; itsvenomous