126 NOTES OF A BOTANIST CHAP, 



the Bombonasa, but his native place is Quito. 

 Canelos, Puca-yacu, and Sara-yacu are all under 

 his rule, and he divides his residence equally among 

 them. It should be observed that his title is 

 Lieutenant -Governor, the Curaca of each pueblo 

 being considered its real governor. The labour 

 of the Indians is entirely voluntary, nor is there 

 any tariff of prices strictly adhered to. In conse- 

 quence, the Indians are sufficiently impertinent 

 and difficult to treat with. The pueblo of Puca- 

 yacu contains some nine men accustomed to carry 

 cargoes to the Sierra ; and after more than a 

 week's delay, Don Ignacio and Don Victoriano 

 have with much difficulty persuaded five of these 

 to accompany them ; the rest excuse themselves 

 from pretended sickness or some other motive, so 

 that I, who need seven cargueros, am still waiting 

 to see if I can induce the Indians of Sara-yacu to 

 accompany me, as they are much more numerous 

 than those of Puca-yacu. The Indians of Canelos 

 are away at their tambos on the Rutuno, etc., with 

 licence of absence for three months, which does 

 not expire till June 20. 



Don Gabicho (as he is familiarly called) presented 

 himself to us with shirt outside trousers (Amazon 

 fashion), so that it stood for jacket as well, and his 

 head adorned with a broad-brimmed hat of tamshe, 

 similar to those woven by the Indians of Maynas 

 of the same material ; well ventilated but affording 

 no protection against rain ; so, to render it water- 

 proof, he had stuck it all over with the feathers of 

 small birds, the points all directed to the brim. 

 I have rarely seen a gayer or stranger head-gear. 



