FROM MANAOS TO TARAPOTO 



2 1 



that constantly rose from it. The cliff itself was 

 draped with a curtain of twiners which I had not 

 time to penetrate. The water was quite clear and 

 destitute of taste or smell, but so hot at 20 

 feet from the source that I could not bear my 

 finger in it. 



About noon we entered a long narrow channel 

 between loftier rocks and steeper hills above them, 

 where the currents and whirlpools gave us some 

 trouble. At its upper entrance stands a steep 

 cerro where the rock is only partially clad with 

 vegetation, and is stained in bare places with 

 blotches of red or dull purple. It is called Uamar- 

 uassi or Eagle's house, from having been once the 

 habitation of an immense eagle which guarded the 

 pass, and the purple patches are blood-stains the 

 blood being of those who were so rash as to 

 attempt the pass in its guardian's despite. The 

 scenery throughout this pongo is beautiful, though 

 the enclosing mountains do not exceed 500 to Soo 

 feet in height. The strata are sometimes almost 

 vertical, and are then partially naked, the seamy 

 vegetation being upheld (as I have noticed in other 

 places) by masses of Bromeliaceous plants. 



The next mal paso is called "Arpa," because 

 just above it there is a rock supposed to resemble a 

 harp. The current round the rocky point was .so 

 strong that the canoes had to be dragged aloni; by 

 stout creepers. Afterwards we came to LM" (i y 

 friable rock in very thin layers, and this was 

 succeeded by a slaty-looking dark rock, and then 

 the friable grey rock again appeared. 

 are all Triassic, and produce salt. 

 rapids of less importance were passed !><-|ore dark 



