374 EXCURSIONS BEYOND EGA. Chap. VI. 



territory of the tribe extends to the Moco, an affluent 

 of the Japura, with which there is communication by- 

 land higher up the Tunantins, the two rivers approxi- 

 mating within about fifteen miles. From what I saw 

 nd heard of the Caishanas, I was led to the conclusion 

 that they had no close genealogical relationship with the 

 Muras, but were more likely a degraded section of the 

 Shumana, or some other neighbouring tribe. Scarcely 

 any of them had the coarse features, the large trunk, 

 broad chest, thick arms, and protuberant abdomen of 

 the Muras, and their features, although presenting a 

 wild, unstead}^, and distrustful expression like the Muras, 

 were often as finely shaped as those of the Shumanas 

 and Passes. Senhor Bitancourt told me their " girio," or 

 tribal language, had much resemblance to that of the 

 Shumanas. I have before shown how scattered hordes 

 have segregrated from their original tribes, and by long 

 isolation, themselves become tribes, acquiring totally 

 different languages, habits, and, to a lesser extent, 

 different corporeal structure. 



My first and only visit to a Caishana dwelling, was 

 accidental. One day, having extended my walk further 

 than usual, and followed one of the forest-roads until 

 it became a mere picada, or hunters' track, I came 

 suddenly upon a well-trodden pathway, bordered on 

 each side with Lycopodia of the most elegant shapes, the 

 tips of the fronds stretching almost like tendrils down the 

 little earthy slopes which formed the edge of the path. 

 The road, though smooth, was narrow and dark, and in 

 many places blocked up by trunks of felled trees, which 

 had been apparently thrown across by the timid Indians 



