DOWN THE AMAZONS. 365 
The prettiest of all these forest sitios was one at the bot- 
tom of a deep dell, reached by a steep, winding path through 
a magnificent wood abounding in palms. But though the 
situation was most picturesque, the sickly appearance of the 
children and the accounts of prevailing illness showed that 
the locality was too low and damp to be healthful. After a 
very pleasant ramble we returned to breakfast at our first 
resting-place, and at about one o'clock started for town in 
two ox-carts which had come out to meet us. They consist 
only of a floor set on very heavy, creaking wooden wheels, 
which, from their primitive, clumsy character, would seem 
to be the first wheels ever invented. On the floor a straw- 
mat was spread, an awning was stretched over a light 
scaffolding above, and we were soon stowed away in our 
primitive vehicle, and had a very gay and pleasant ride back 
to town. Yesterday evening Mr. Agassiz returned from his 
excursion to the Serra Erere. I add here a little account 
of the journey, written out from his notes, and containing 
some remarks on the general aspect of the country, its vege- 
tation and animals. A summary of the geological results 
of the excursion will be found in a separate chapter at the 
close of our Amazonian journey. 
" I started before daylight ; but as the dawn began to 
redden the sky large flocks of ducks, and of the small 
Amazonian goose, might be seen flying towards the lakes. 
Here and there a cormorant sat alone on the branch of a 
dead tree, or a kingfisher poised himself over the water, 
watching for his prey. Numerous gulls were gathered 
in large companies on the trees along the river-shore ; 
alligators lay on its surface, diving with a sudden plash 
at the approach of our canoe ; and occasionally a porpoise 
emerged from tlie water, showing himself for a moment 
