A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
either of cotton or calico, and their long, thick black hair 
drawn up and fastened on the top of their head by a semi- 
circular comb, brought so far forward that the edge is about 
on a line with the forehead. A bunch of flowers is general- 
ly stuck under the comb on one side. I have never seen 
an Indian woman who did not wear one of these round 
combs ; although of foreign manufacture, they find their 
way to the most isolated forest settlements, brought, I 
suppose, by the travelling pedlers, " regatao." These 
gentry are known everywhere on the banks of the Am- 
azons and its tributaries, and are said to be most un- 
principled in their dealings with the Indians, who fall 
readily into the traps set for them by the wily traders. 
In one of the reports of Dr. Adolfo, who, during his 
short but able administration, exposed, and as far as it 
was in his power reformed, abuses in the province of 
the Amazonas, he says, after speaking of the great need 
of religious instruction in the more remote settlements : 
" To-day who goes to seek the Indian in the depth of 
his virgin forests along the shores of these endless rivers ? 
No one, if it be not the ' regatao,' less barbarous certain- 
ly than he, but much more corrupt ; who spies upon him, 
depraves and dishonors him, under the pretext of trading." 
After our visit to the church, the whole population, men, 
women, and children, accompanied us down to the beach 
to receive their presents, distributed by the President in 
person : common jewelry, which they appreciate highly, 
calico dresses, beads, scissors, needles, and looking-glasses 
for the women ; knives, fish-hooks, hatchets, and other 
working tools for the men ; and a variety of little trin- 
kets and playthings for the children. But though a cor- 
dial, kindly people, they have the impassiveness of the 
