MARTIN RATTLER. 73

they came to plains, or campos, as they are termed,
where there were no trees at all, and few shrubs, and
where the grass was burned brown and dry by the
sun. Over such they hurried as quickly as they
could; and fortunately, where they chanced to travel,
such places were neither numerous nor extensive,
although in some districts of Brazil there are campos
hundreds of miles in extent.

A small stream meandered through the forest, and
enabled them to refresh themselves frequently, which
was very fortunate; for the heat, especially towards
noon, became extremely intense, and they could not
have existed without water. So great, indeed, was
the heat about mid-day that, by mutual consent, they
resolved to seek the cool shade of a spreading tree,
and try to sleep if possible. At this time they learned,
to their surprise, that all animated nature did likewise,
and sought repose at noon. God had implanted in
the breast of every bird and insect in that mighty
forest an instinct which taught it to rest and find re-
freshment during the excessive heat of mid-day; so
that, during the space of two or three hours, not a
thing with life was seen, and not a sound was heard.
Even the troublesome mosquitoes, so active at all
other times, day and night, were silent now. The

change was very great and striking, and difficult for