CATCHING THE GYMNOTUS, 303

alive, but much enfeebled, we repaired to the Cano de Bera,
to make our experiments in the open air, on the borders of the
water itself. We set off on the 19th of March for the village
of Rastro de Abaxo, thence we were conducted to a stream,
which, in the time of drought, forms a basin of muddy water,
surrounded by fine trees. To catch the gymnoti with nets is
very difficult, on account of the extreme agility of the fish,
which bury themselves in the mud like serpents. We would
not employ the daréasco, that is to say, the roots of Piscidea
erythrina and Jacquinia armillaris, which, when thrown into
the pool, intoxicate or benumb these animals. These means
would have enfeebled the gymnoti ; the Indians therefore told
us, that they would ‘ fish with horses.’ We found it difficult
to form an idea of this extraordinary manner of fishing ; but
we soon saw our guides return from the Savannah, which they
had been scouring for wild horses and mules. They brought
about thirty with them, which they forced to enter the pool.

‘© The extraordinary noise caused by the horses’ hoofs makes
the fish issue from the mud, and excites them to combat.
These yellowish and livid eels resemble large aquatic serpents,
swim on the surface of the water, and crowd under the bellies
of the horses and mules. A contest between animals of so
different an organization furnishes a very striking spectacle.
The Indians, provided with harpoons and long slender reeds,
surround the pool closely ; and some climb upon the trees,
the branches of which extend horizontally over the surface of
the water. By their wild cries, and the length of their reeds,
they prevent the horses from running away and reaching the
bank of the pool. The eels, stunned by the noise, defend
themselves by the repeated discharge of their electric batteries.
During a long time they seem to prove victorious. Several
horses sink beneath the violence of the invisible strokes which
they receive from all sides, in organs the most essential to life ;
and stunned by the force and frequency of the shocks, dis-
appear under the water. Others, panting, with their mane