186 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
completely that not a drop of its inky stream is seen to 
mingle with the yellow waters outside. It is supposed 
that at this season the Rio Negro sinks at once under 
the Solimoens ; at all events, the latter flows across its 
mouth, seeming to bar it completely. It must not be 
supposed, from the change of name, that the Solimoens 
is anything more than the continuation of the Amazons ; 
just as the so-called river Maranon is its continuation 
above Nauta, after crossing the Brazilian frontier. It is 
always the same gigantic stream, traversing the continent 
for. its whole breadth ; but it has received in its lower, 
middle, and upper course the three local names of the 
Amazons, the Solimoens, and the Maranon. At the point 
where the Brazilians give it the name of Solimoens it 
takes a sudden turn to the south, just where the Rio Ne- 
gro enters it from the north, so that the two form a sharp 
angle. 
We landed at Manaos and went at once to the house 
which Major Coutinho, with his usual foresight, has pro- 
vided for us. As the day of our arrival was uncertain, 
the arrangements were not completed, and the house was 
entirely empty when we entered it. In about ten minutes, 
however,' chairs and tables brought, I believe, from the 
house of a friend made their appearance, the rooms were 
promptly furnished, and presently assumed a very cosey and 
comfortable look, notwithstanding their brick floors and bare 
walls. We have some pleasant neighbors in a family living 
almost next door to us, old and intimate friends of Major 
Coutinho, who receive us for his sake as if we also had 
a claim on their affection. Here we rest from our wander- 
ings, for a week at least, until the steamer sails for Taba- 
tinga. 
