Chap. IV. A KIGHT ASHORE. 141 



plaited into tlie proper form, hung suspended from 

 a beam ; it is in this that the pulp of the mandioca 

 is 23ressed, and from it the juice, which is of a highly 

 poisonous nature, although the pulp is wholesome food, 

 runs into pans placed beneath to receive it. A wooden 

 trough, such as is used in all these places for receiving the 

 pulp before the poisonous matter is extracted, stood on the 

 ground, and from the posts hung the long wicker-work 

 baskets, or aturas, in which the w^omen carry the roots 

 from the ro^a or clearing ; abroad ribbon made from the 

 inner bark of the monguba tree is attached to the 

 rims of the baskets, and is passed round the forehead 

 of the carriers, to relieve their backs in supporting the 

 heavy load. Ai'ound the shed were planted a number 

 of banana and other fruit trees ; amongst them were 

 the never-failing capsicum-pepper bushes brilliant as 

 holly-trees at Christmas time with their fiery red fruit, 

 and lemon trees ; the one supplying the pungent the 

 other the acid for sauce to the perpetual meal of fish. 

 There is never in such places any appearance of careful 

 cultivation, no garden or orchard ; the useful trees are 

 surrounded by weeds and bushes, and close behind rises 

 the everlasting forest. 



There were other strangers under Senhor Joaquim's 

 roof besides myself ; mulattos, mamelucos, and Indians, 

 so we formed altogether a large party. Houses occur 

 at rare intervals in this wild country, and hospitality is 

 freely given to the few passing travellers. After a 

 frugal supper, a large w^ood fire was lighted in the 

 middle of the shed, and all turned into their hammocks 

 and began to converse. A few of the party soon dropped 



