Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-06
THE VAMPIRE,

We will now take view of the Vampire
AS there was free entrance to the vampire IN
the loft where slept, had many fine oppor-
tunity Of paying attention to this nocturnal sur
geon. He does not always live on blood. When
the moon shone bright and the fruit of the ba-
mana tree was ripe, | could see him approach
and eat it. He would also bring into the loft,
from the fores:, green round fruit, something
like the wild guava, and about the size OF nut
meg. There was something also in the BIOS
som or the Sawarri nut tree, which was Crate
full to him; for in coming up Waratilla creek, in
moonlight night, saw several vampires flut-
tering round the top of the Sawarri tree, and
every now and then the blossoms which they had
broken off, fell into the water. They certainly
did not drop of naturally, for on examining Sc
veral of them, they appeared fresh and bloom
ing. So concluded the vampires pulled them
from the tree, either to eat the incipient fruit,
or to catch the insects which often take up their
abode in flowers. The vampire in general
measures about twenty-six inches from wing 10
wing extended, though once killed one which
measured thirty-two inches. He fIequents old
abandoned houses and hollow trees; and some
times a cluster ofthem may be seen in the forest,
hanging head downwards from the branch Of a
tree. The vampire has curious membrane,
which rises from the nose, and gives it very
singular appearance. 1t has been remarked
before, that there are two species of vampire in
Guiana, larger and smaller, The larger
sucks men and other animals; the smaller seems
to confne itself chiefly to birds. l learnt from
gentleman, high up in the river Demerara,
that he was completely unsuccessful with his
fowls, on accoun, Of the smaller vampire. He
showed me some that had been sucked the night
before, and they were scarce able to walk
Some years ago Invent to the river Paumaron
with Scotch gentleman, by name Tarbet. We
hung our hammocks in the matched lott oil
planters house. Next morning heard this
gentleman muttering in his hammock, and now
and then letting fall an imprecation or two, just
about the time ne ought to have been saying
his morning prayers. "What is the matter,
SIR" said |, softly; "is any thing amiss!'
"What's the matter" answered he, surl;ly;
"why the vampires have been sucking me to
death" AS soon as there was light enough l
wen, 10 his hammock and saw II much stained
with blood. "There," SAID he, thrusting his
foot out Of the hammock. "see how these in
fernal imps have been drawing my life's blood"
On examining his foot, found the vampire had
tapped his great toe: there was wound some
what less than tha, made by leech; the blood
was still oozing from it; conjectured he might
have lost from ten 10 twelve ounces OF blood
Whilst examining i, | think put him into a
worse humour by remarking, that European
surgeon would not have been SO generous as to
have blooded him without making charge
He looked up in my face, but did not say a
word; saw he was Of opinion that had better
have spared this piece of i'll timed levity.
[WaetOn's Nanderngsin South .americd
The late Freshet-In the east part OF Be
thel, grist mill, known by the name OF DAVIS
mill, was taken from its foundation, carried
number of rods, and lodged on all island, where
the lower story was wholly swept away, LETTING
the upper one down in such manner as TO pre-
serve it SO free from injury, that its contents
consisting Of several hundred bushels OF gram
sc. suffered no damage, not kernel OF TIT
grain being wet, nor any Of the boxes or cask
removed from their places. This statement W w
received from source entitled to full credit
however increditable it may appear.
| 1fonfnelier Patriot.