352 A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 
the changes wrought by the " enchente." The very tex- 
ture of the Amazons is changed ; it is thicker and yellower 
than when we ascended it, and much more laden with 
floating wood, detached grasses, and debris of all. sorts 
washed from the shore. Wild-flowers are also more abun- 
dant than they were when we came up the river in Septem- 
ber ; not delicate, small plants, growing low among moss 
and grass, as do our violets, anemones, and the like ; but 
large blossoms, covering tall trees, and resembling exotics 
at home, by their rich color and powerful odor. Indeed, 
the flowers of the Amazonian forests always remind me 
of hot-house plants : and there often comes a warm breath 
from the depths of the woods, laden with moisture and 
perfume, like the air from the open door of a conservatory. 
January Vlth. We reached Villa Bella at eight o'clock 
yesterday morning, but waited there only a few hours to 
make certain necessary arrangements, and then kept on 
to the mouth of the river Ramos, an hour's sail from the 
town, the same river which we had ascended from its 
upper point of juncture with the Amazons, on our ex- 
cursion to Mauhes. We anchored at a short distance 
from the entrance, before the house of our old acquaint- 
ances, the Maias, where, it may be remembered, we passed 
a few days when collecting in this neighborhood before. 
Fortunately, Maia himself was in Manaos when we left, 
employed as a soldier in the National Guard ; and the 
President kindly gave him leave to accompany us, that 
Mr. Agassiz might have the advantage of his familiarity 
with the locality, and his experience in fishing. The man 
himself was pleased to have an opportunity of visiting his 
family, to whom his coming was an agreeable surprise. Wo 
went on shore this morning to make them a visit, taking 
