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 31s. Again on our way back to Manaos, 

 having made, on our return, another short stay at Taua 

 Peassu, where, during the two days of our absence, the 

 padre of the village had prepared a large collection of 

 palms for Mr. Agassiz. Our 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 Bacc4ba, or 



