30 PARA. Cuap. IL 
partly owing to the beautiful weather that prevails when it takes place 
—namely, in the middle of the fine season, on the ten days preceding 
the full moon in October or November. Para is then seen at its best. 
The weather is not too dry, for three weeks never follow in succession 
without a shower; so that all the glory of verdure and flowers can be 
enjoyed with clear skies. The moonlit nights are then especially 
beautiful ; the atmosphere is transparently clear, and the light sea- 
breeze produces an agreeable coolness. 
We now settled ourselves for a few months’ regular work. We had 
the forest on three sides of us ; it was the end of the wet season; most 
species of birds had finished moulting, and every day the insects 
increased in number and variety. Behind the rocinha, after several 
days’ exploration, I found a series of pathways through the woods, 
which led to the Una road; about half-way was the house in which the 
celebrated travellers Spix and Martius resided during their stay at Pard, 
in 1819. It was now in a neglected condition, and the plantations were 
overgrown with bushes. ‘The paths hereabout were very productive of 
insects, and being entirely under shade were very pleasant for strolling. 
Close to our doors began the main forest road. It was broad enough 
for two horsemen abreast, and branched off in three directions; the 
main line going to the village of Ourem, a distance of 50 miles. This 
road formerly extended to Maranham, but it had been long in disuse, 
and was now grown up, being scarcely passable between Para and 
Ourem. 
Our researches were made in various directions along these paths, 
and every day produced us a number of new and interesting species. 
Collecting, preparing our specimens, and making notes, kept us well 
occupied. One day was so much like another, that a general description 
of the diurnal round of incidents, including the sequence of natural 
phenomena, will be sufficient to give an idea of how days pass to 
naturalists under the equator. 
We used to rise soon after dawn, when IJsidoro would go down to 
the city, after supplying us with a cup of coffee, to purchase the fresh 
provisions for the day. The two hours before breakfast were devoted 
to ornithology. At that early period of the day the sky was invariably 
cloudless (the thermometer marking 72° or 73° Fahr.): the heavy dew 
or the previous night’s rain, which lay on the moist foliage, becoming 
quickly dissipated by the glowing sun, which, rising straight out of the 
east, mounted rapidly towards the zenith. All nature was fresh, new 
leaf and flower-buds expanding rapidly. Some mornings a single tree 
would appear in flower amidst what was the preceding evening a 
uniform green mass of forest—a dome of blossom suddenly created as 
if by magic. ‘The birds were all active ; from the wild-fruit trees, not 
far off, we often heard the shrill yelping of the Toucans (Rhamphastos 
vitellinus). Small flocks of parrots flew over on most mornings, at a 
great height, appearing in distinct relief against the blue sky, always 
two by two chattering to each other, the pairs being separated by 
regular intervals ; their bright colours, however, were. not apparent at 
‘that height. After breakfast we devoted the hours from 1o a.m. to 2 
or 3 p.m. to entomology; the best time for insects in the forest being 

