Chap. IT. DIURITAL CYCLE OF PHENOMEN"A. 61 



extended to Maranham, but it had been long in disuse 

 and was now gi'own up, being scarcely passable be- 

 tween 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 de- 

 scription 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 Isidore 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 



