336 MR. SPRUCE’S BOTANICAL EXCURSION 
A little after noon on the 21st we reached a group of three sitios, 
called “As Pedras,” on account of several large blocks of volcanic 
rock lying close by the river. Here we learnt that the current was so 
strong in the Ramü-orômocäua that unless we were content to wait 
several days for the river to fill, or could procure the assistance of three 
or four men, there was no possibility of our passing it. It was on the 
18th that the Amazon burst into the Ramos, with a noise which was dis- 
tinctly heard here, although nearly a day's journey distant, and a montaria 
attempting to pass on the 20th was split by the force of the current. We 
determined on the latter alternative, and until the men could be found I 
occupied myself in examining the surrounding vegetation, which, how- 
. ever, presents great sameness throughout the Ramos, and in its general 
features does not differ from that of the Amazon. Since leaving 
Villa Nova, I had constantly made inquiries respecting the Victoria, but 
could not hear of it, excepting that Capitaô Pedro described it as existing 
abundantly in the Lago de Sarucá; but this was very far out of our 
way. At the “ Pedras” I was glad to learn that it grew in a small 
lake on the opposite side of the Ramos, and within a short distance ; 
but I had no montaria to enable me to reach it, for one of our men— 
a Jima Indian—had run away a few nights previously with our 
montaria and all our fishing-tackle, nor was there any montaria at the 
sitio where we were staying, but I was told I might borrow one at a 
sitio a little higher up. To this sitio I accordingly proceeded, and 
found at it an old man and his three sons, men of middle age, with 
their children. Two of the sons had just come in from a fishing expe- 
dition: the third had his arm in a sling, and on inquiring the cause, 
T learnt that seven weeks ago he and his father had been fishing in the 
very lake I wished to visit, in a small montaria, which remains constantly 
. in the lake (the outlet being dried up), and that having reached the 
_ middle and laid aside their paddles, they were waiting for the fish with 
their bows and arrows, when, unseen by them, a large jacaré glided 
under the montaria, gave them a jerk which threw them both into the 
. water, and seizing the son by the right shoulder, dived with him at 
once to the bottom, the depth being, as they supposed, about four 
fathoms. In this fearful peril he had presence of mind to thrust the 
.. fingers of his left hand into the monster's eyes, and after rolling over 
three or four times, the jacaré let go his hold, and the man rose to the 
surface, but mangled, bleeding, and helpless, His father immediately 
