MANAOS AND ITS NEIGHBORHOOD. 283 
from which he takes aim and discharges his noiseless 
arrow with such precision, that the bird or monkey drops 
down from among its companions, without their perceiving 
the cause of its disappearance. While I was watching the 
boys, a canoe came up the stream, patldled by women, and 
loaded with fruit and vegetables, on the top of which sat 
two bright green parrots. Two of the women were old 
and hideous, very wrinkled and withered, as these people 
usually are in old age ; but the third was the handsomest 
Indian woman I have ever seen, with a tinge of white 
blood to be sure, for her skin was fairer and her features 
more regular than those of the Indians generally. They 
were coming from their sitio, as I learned afterwards. 
When they had moored their boat to a tree, the younger 
woman began to unload, tucking her petticoat about her 
hips, and wading to and fro with baskets of fruit and 
vegetables on her head. Her hair was dressed with flow- 
ers, as is usual with these women ; however scanty their 
clothing, they seldom forget -this ornament. 
November 20th. The President, Dr. Epaminondas, added 
yesterday to the many kindnesses by which he has rendered 
our stay here doubly pleasant, in giving an exceedingly 
pretty fete in honor of Mr. Agassiz. The place chosen 
was the asylum for Indian children already described, 
well adapted for the purpose on account of its large, airy 
rooms and beautiful situation ; and the invitation was given 
out in the name of the " Province of the Amazonas." 
* I trust that the motive will not be misunderstood which induces me to add 
here a translation of the general cards of invitation distributed on this occasion. 
The graceful expression of a thought so kind, and the manner in which the 
President merges his own personality in the name of the Province of which 
he is the administrative head, are so characteristic of his mingled courtesy and 
modesty, that I am tempted to insert the note, notwithstanding its personal 
