DOWN THE AMAZONS. 357 
another lily growing in this lake, which, though diminu- 
tive by the side of the Victoria, would be a giant among 
our water-lilies. The leaf measured more than a foot in di- 
ameter, and was slightly scolloped around the edge. There 
were no open flowers, but the closed buds resembled those 
of our common white water-lilies, and were no larger. 
The stalk and ribs, unlike those of the Victoria, were 
quite smooth, and free from thorns. After our visit to 
the lilies, we paddled in among the trees along the over- 
flowed margin of the lake, in order that the boatmen 
might cut down several palms new to us. While waiting 
under the trees in the boat, we had cause to admire the 
variety and beauty of the insects fluttering about us ; the 
large blue butterflies (Morpho), and the brilliant dragon- 
flies, with crimson bodies and burnished wings, glittering 
with metallic lustre.* 
January 21s. Obydos. We left Villa Bella yesterday 
with a large collection of fishes, and some valuable additions 
to the collection of palms. The general character of the 
fish collections, both from the river Ramos and the Lago 
Maximo, shows the faunas to be the same now as when wo 
were here five months ago. Certainly, during this inter- 
val, migration has had no perceptible influence upon the 
distribution of life in these waters. Leaving Villa Bella at 
night, we reached Obydos early this morning. This pretty 
town is one of the most picturesque in position, on the 
* During my short stay in the neighborhood of Villa Bella and Obydos I was 
indebted to several residents of these towns for assistance in collecting ; espe- 
cially to Padre Torquato and to Padre Antonio Mattos. My friend, Mr. Hono- 
rio, who accompanied me to this point, with the assistance of the Delegado, at 
Villa Bella, made also a very excellent collection of fishes in this vicinity. At 
Obydos Colonel Bentos contributed a very large collection of fishes from the 
Rio Trombetas. L. A. 
