38 MEMOIR OF 



pakcori or intoxicating drink. Fever having force a 

 him to keep his hammock, Mr. Schomburgk had a 

 good opportunity to watch their proceedings. The 

 guests were attended by companions highly painted 

 and ornamented for the occasion. On a signal be- 

 ing given by the host or one of the guests, the 

 calabash was filled and handed to the person who 

 desired it, then passed to his neighbour, and so en 

 until it had made the round. But little rest Tvas 

 granted to the bowl ; and, before many hours had 

 elapsed, the large trough was emptied and again 

 filled from immense earthen vessels which had been 

 kept in reserve. Meanwhile the conversation be- 

 came most violent. Feats of valour, encounters 

 with jaguars and other wild beasts, formed the 

 prominent subjects; but, ere the second trough 

 was emptied, one tongue after another had become 

 silent, and sickness appeared to have taken posses- 

 sion of them all. Thus is the beverage, already 

 unclean in its preparation, misused, and man de- 

 graded ! 



The Indians have been accused of want of afibc- 

 tion for their children. Mr. Schomburgk declares 

 he has seen frequent instances to the contrary. A 

 Wapisiana returned from a few days' journey, when 

 his children flocked around him, hung about his 

 neck, and put a thousand questions to him ; very 

 likely about his success, what he had brought them, 

 &c. He took some cashew-nuts out of his queck, 

 or basket, which caused them great joy, though 

 they might have got as good a few yards off. His 



