280 THE LOWER AMAZOXS. Chap. VII. 



when tliey reach the age of puberty they become rest- 

 less and discontented. The rooted impatience of all 

 restraint then shows itself, and the kindest treatment 

 will not prevent them running away from their masters ; 

 they do not return to the malocas of their tribes, but 

 join parties who go out to collect the produce of the 

 forests and rivers, and lead a wandering semi-savage 

 kind of life. 



We remained under the Serra dos Parentins all night. 

 Early the next morning a light mist hung about the 

 tree-tops, and the forest resounded with the yelping 

 of Whaiapu-sai monkeys. I went ashore with my gun 

 and got a glimpse of the flock, but did not succeed in 

 obtaining a specimen. They were of small size and 

 covered with long fur of a uniform gTay colour. I 

 think the species was the Callithrix donacophilus. The 

 rock composing the elevated ridge of the Parentins is 

 the same coarse iron-cemented cono-lomerate which I 

 have spoken of as occurring near Para and in several 

 other places. Many loose blocks were scattered about. 

 The forest was extremely varied, and inextricable coils 

 of woody climbers stretched from tree to tree. Thongs 

 of cacti were spread over the rocks and tree-trunks. 

 The variety of small, beautifully-shaped ferns, lichens, 

 and boleti made the place quite a museum of cr3rpto- 

 gamic plants. I found here two exquisite species of 

 Longicorn beetles, and a large kind of grasshopper 

 (Pterochroza) whose broad fore-wings resembled the 

 leaf of a plant, providing the insect with a perfect dis- 

 guise when they were closed ; whilst the hind-wings 

 were decorated with gaily-coloured eye-like spots. 



