228 THE LOWER AMAZONS. Chap. VI. 



although full grown according to the statement of the 

 Indians, who said it was a "mai d'ovos," or mother of 



Acarl Fish (Loricaria duodecimalis). 



eggs, as they had pillaged the nest, which they had 

 found near the edge of the water. The eggs were rather 

 larger than a hen's, and regularly oval in shape, pre- 

 senting a rough hard surface of shell. Unfortunately 

 the alligator was cut up ready for cooking when we 

 returned to the schooner, and I could not therefore 

 make a note of its peculiarities. The pieces were 

 skewered and roasted over the fire, each man being 

 his own cook. I never saw this species of alligator 

 afterwards. 



October Srd. — About midnight the wind, for which 

 we had long been waiting, sprang up, the men weighed 

 anchor, and we were soon fairly embarked on the Ama- 

 zons. I rose long before sunrise to see the great river 

 by moonlight. There was a spanking breeze, and the 

 vessel was bounding gaily over the waters. The channel 



