ON THE AMAZON. Bit 
velty, being clad with lofty forest to its summit, and destitute of water 
save near its base. It is 1500 feet high above the river at Sad Ga- 
briel. All these serras are huge masses of granite, rising abruptly out 
of the plain. You have no idea what work it is climbing them ; towards 
the base they are strewed with blocks as big as churches, all enveloped 
in forest, and netted over with twiners.” In a “ Caa-tinga”’ at the base 
of the Serra do Gama I made an interesting collection. There are also 
other Caa-tingas, or “ white forests,” in the neighbourhood; the soil 
a thin covering of white sand over granite; the trees low; twiners 
scarcely any ; trunks hung with Ferns and Orchises, branches with 
Hepatice. The Ferns very interesting ; the Orchises numerous, but in- 
significant ; the Hepatice few in species. Scarcely any of the trees are 
now in flower, but they seem all peculiar. 
I am now entering another great Guarana country. I have seen a 
few plants in the sitios, but it is across the frontier that it is cultivated 
and used in the greatest quantity. The Barré Indians of Venezuela 
drink it in immense quantities, especially the first thing in a morning, 
in place of coffee, and they use only the fresh berry, grated, without 
sugar. Their name for it is Cupana (perhaps Aublet’s name Cupania, 
applied to other plants of the same family, might be traced to the same 
root). I have got a few specimens of Guaraná, and shall be able to 
get more. It seems to flower and fruit all the year round, but no 
. fruit is allowed to ripen, as the people gather it while yet green ; I am 
not certain that it is the same as the Guarana of the Maués, but I be- 
lieve it to be so. The stem twines, but I have not seen any tendrils. 
The river has been rising and falling ever since I reached Saó Ga- 
briel (January 15), but on the whole gaining. The strength of the 
rainy season is now coming on (there is never any dry season, properly 
speaking), and will continue unabated until the river is full, about St. 
John's day: until past that period I am a fixture here, and afterwards — 
my plans are uncertain. The Commandante of Marabitanas invites — 
me to go up the Içanna with him, and visit the Serra de Tunuhy, but — 
I have had some experience of travelling in other people's boats, and - 
find it more agreeable, and even less expensive, travelling in my own. 
On the yoyage from Santarem to the Barra the rum, coffee, and er 
for every person on board was furnished by me, and the captain lived — 
entirely at my expense; there was besides my own feed and Mr. 
King's, and his wages of a milrei per day, and this for a space of sixty- 
