LIFE AT MANAOS. 201 
result of the Peruvian journey been more certain, the 
decision would have been easier ; but it is more than 
likely that the torrential rains of this latitude have de- 
composed the surface and swept away all traces of glaciers, 
if they ever existed at so low a level. To go on, therefore, 
seemed a little like giving up a certain for an uncertain 
result. Earnestly desirous of making the best use of his 
time and opportunities here, this doubt has disturbed Mr. 
Agassiz's waking and sleeping thoughts for several days 
past. Yesterday morning, at Teffe, a most unexpected 
adviser appeared in the midst of our council of war. 
Insignificant in size, this individual, nevertheless, brought 
great weight to the decision. The intruder was a small 
fish with his mouth full of young ones. The practical 
plea was irresistible, embryology carried the day. A 
chance of investigating so extraordinary a process of de- 
velopment, not only in this species but in several others 
said to rear their young in the same fashion, was not to 
be thrown away ; and, besides, there was the prospect of 
making a collection and a series of colored drawings, from 
the life, of the immense variety of fishes in the river and 
lake of Teffe, and perhaps of studying the embryology of 
the turtles and alligators in their breeding season. Mr. 
Agassiz, therefore, decides to return to Teffe with his 
artist and two or three other assistants, and to make a 
station there for a month at least, leaving Mr. Bourget, 
with our Indian fisherman, at Tabatinga to collect in that 
region, and sending Mr. James and Mr. Talisman to the 
river Putumayo, or I^-a, and afterwards to the Hyutahy 
for the same purpose. This dispersion of parties to col- 
lect simultaneously in different areas, divided from each 
other by considerable distances, will show how the fishes 
9* 
