OF BRITISH HONDURAS


 The island was covered with big trees, and the
thing that most interested me was that the large
branches were occupied by snakes, which kept
their positions by coiling themselves around these
branches. There was scarcely a tree without two
or more of these occupants attached to it. I
ascertained by shooting one that they were quite
harmless and belonged to the Boa Constrictor
family, averaging about six feet in length and as
thick as a man's arm. Their position on the trees
was explained because I found that they lived on
the pigeons which came in large flocks to feed on
the island.
 On my arrival at Punta Gorda I commenced
at once to collect the curious and wonderful
butterflies that this district provided. But I was
new to the country, had no experience of tropical
conditions, and went about my collecting just as
I would have done in England. I disregarded
the hot sun, and collected my treasures in its
blazing heat; heavy tropical showers of rain
soaked me and then the sun coming into action
again, dried me. I frequently strayed into
swamps, and my feet remained in wet boots
all day. Mosquitoes and ticks I found rather
troublesome, but that was all, and nothing to
make a fuss about, and when I reached home
tired and wet I did not take the trouble to change
to dry clothing until I had first rested and cooled