Having But One Day Left For Experiment, I Found Again That Another Colony
On A Branch Denuded In The Same
Way yielded a drop every 2 seconds,
or 4 pints 10 ounces in 24 hours, while a colony on a
Branch untouched
yielded a drop every 11 seconds, or 16 ounces 2-19/20 drams in 24 hours.
I regretted somewhat the want of time to institute another experiment,
namely, to cut a branch and place it in water, so as to keep it in life,
and then observe if there was any diminution of the quantity of water
in the vessel. This alone was wanting to make it certain
that they draw water from the atmosphere. I imagine that they have
some power of which we are not aware, besides that nervous influence
which causes constant motion to our own involuntary muscles,
the power of life-long action without fatigue. The reader will remember,
in connection with this insect, the case of the ants already mentioned.
DECEMBER 14TH. Both myself and men having recovered from
severe attacks of fever, we left the hospitable residence of Mr. Canto
with a deep sense of his kindness to us all, and proceeded on our way
to Ambaca. (Lat. 9d 16' 35" S., long. 15d 23' E.)
Frequent rains had fallen in October and November, which were nearly always
accompanied with thunder. Occasionally the quantity of moisture
in the atmosphere is greatly increased without any visible cause:
this imparts a sensation of considerable cold, though the thermometer
exhibits no fall of the mercury. The greater humidity in the air,
affording a better conducting medium for the radiation of heat from the body,
is as dangerous as a sudden fall of the thermometer: it causes considerable
disease among the natives, and this season is denominated "Carneirado",
as if by the disease they were slaughtered like sheep.
The season of these changes, which is the most favorable for Europeans,
is the most unhealthy for the native population; and this is by no means
a climate in which either natives or Europeans can indulge in irregularities
with impunity.
Owing to the weakness of the men who had been sick, we were able
to march but short distances. Three hours and a half brought us
to the banks of the Caloi, a small stream which flows into the Senza.
This is one of the parts of the country reputed to yield petroleum,
but the geological formation, being mica schist, dipping toward the eastward,
did not promise much for our finding it. Our hospitable friend, Mr. Mellot,
accompanied us to another little river, called the Quango,
where I saw two fine boys, the sons of the sub-commandant, Mr. Feltao,
who, though only from six to eight years old, were subject to fever.
We then passed on in the bright sunlight, the whole country
looking so fresh and green after the rains, and every thing so cheering,
one could not but wonder to find it so feverish.
We found, on reaching Ambaca, that the gallant old soldier,
Laurence Jose Marquis, had, since our passing Icollo i Bengo,
been promoted, on account of his stern integrity, to the government
of this important district.
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