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. 



