LIFE IN RIO CONTINUED. 93 
the Tocantins, and descend that river to the Amazons, 
while the others will follow the valley of the Piauhy to 
the coast. This is a long, difficult, but, as we are as- 
sured, not a dangerous journey for young and vigorous 
men. But wishing to anticipate every trouble that may 
befall them, Mr. Agassiz has made it his business to as- 
certain, as far as possible, the nature of the route, and 
to obtain letters to the most influential people for every 
step of the road. This has been no light task ; in a 
country where there are no established means of internal 
communication, where mules, guides, camaradas, and even 
an armed escort may be necessary, and must be provided 
for in advance, the preparation for a journey through the 
interior requires a vast deal of forethought. Add to this 
the national habit of procrastination, the profound convic- 
tion of the Brazilian that to-morrow is better than to-day, 
and one may understand how it happens that, although it 
has been a primary object since our arrival to expedite the 
party to the Tocantins, their departure has been delayed 
till now. And yet it would be the height of ingratitude 
to give the impression that there has been any backward- 
ness on the part of the Brazilians themselves, or of their 
government, to facilitate the objects of the expedition. On 
the contrary, they not only show a warm interest, but the 
utmost generosity, and readiness to give all the practical 
aid in their power. Several leading members of the Cabi- 
net, the Senate, and the House of Representatives have 
found time now, when they have a war upon their hands, 
and when one ministry has been going out and another 
coming in, not only to prepare the necessary introductions 
for these parties from Rio to the Amazons, but also to write 
out the routes, giving the most important directions and 
