EXCURSION ON THE RIO NEGRO. 333 
men were delivered into his hands : he caused the blocks 
of wood to be sawed off their feet immediately, gave 
them wine and food, and showed them every kindness. 
He protested that the whole proceeding was illegal, and 
contrary to the intentions of the central authority. It 
is, however, the way in which the recruiting is accom- 
plished throughout this Indian district ; and the defence 
made by those who justify it is, that the Indians, like any 
other citizens, must fight for the maintenance of the laws 
which protect them ; that the government needs their ser- 
vices ; and that this is the only way to secure them, as 
they are very unwilling to go, and very cunning and 
agile in escaping. Beside these three men, there were 
two others ; one a volunteer, and the other from a better 
class, the pilot of the cataract on the Rio Branco. A 
man so employed ought, for the sake of the community, 
to be exempt from military service, as few persons under- 
stand the dangerous navigation of the river, where broken 
by cascades. He will doubtless be sent back when his case 
is represented to the President of the province. 
December olst. Again on our way back to Manaos, 
having made, on our return, another short stay at Tana 
Peassu, where, during the two days of our absence, the 
padre of the village had prepared a large collection of 
palms for Mr. Agassiz. Oar collection of palms is becom- 
ing quite numerous ; and though they must of course, in 
the process of drying, lose all their beauty of coloring, we 
hope they may retain something of the grace and dignity 
of their bearing. But even should this not be the case, 
they will answer every purpose of study, as with each one 
specimens of its fruit and flowers are preserved in alcohol. 
A palm has just been brought on board the Baccaba, or 
