60 PARA. Chap. II. 



persons come to it from the neighbouring city of Maran- 

 ham, 300 miles distant. Once the president ordered 

 the mail steamer to be delayed two days at Para for the 

 convenience of these visitors. The popularity of the 

 festa is 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 travel- 

 lers Spix and Martins resided during their stay at Para, 

 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 



