170 MARTIN RATTLER.

below these, in the females, there are two breasts, from
which good white milk flows when pressure is applied,
The cow-fish feeds on grass at the borders of rivers
and lakes; and when suckling its young, it carries it
in its fins or flippers, and clasps the little one to its
breast, just as a mother clasps her baby! It is har-
pooned and taken for the sake of its fat, from which
oil is made. The flesh is also very good, resembling
beef in quality, and it was much relished by Martin
and Barney, who frequently dined on beef-steaks cut
from this remarkable cow-fish.

There was also another fish which surprised our
adventurers not a little the first time they met with
it. One evening Senhor Antonio had ordered a net
to be thrown into the river, being desirous of procur-
ing a few fresh fish for the use of his establishment.
The Indians and Negroes soon after commenced
dragging, and in a few minutes afterwards the sandy
bank of the river was strown with an immense
variety of small fish, among which were a few of a
larger kind. Martin and Barney became excited as
they saw them leaping and spluttering about, and ran
in amongst them to assist in gathering them into
baskets. But scarcely had the latter advanced a few
steps when there was a loud report, as if a pistol had
gone off under his feet.