CHAPTER XVIII. 



NATIVES OF THE VALLEY OF THE A:\rAZOX. 



VAST number of tribes inhabit tlie banks of the 

 Amazon and its tributaries, who, though having a 

 general resemblance, differ in their habits and cus- 

 toms. Those found on the Lower Amazon are more or less 

 civilized, and are known as Tupis, or Tapuyas. They speak' 

 the lingua Geral, and sometimes Portuguese. The lingua 

 Geral is the ancient Tupee language, considerably modified by 

 the Jesuits, who taught it to all those under their control. 



The Amazonian Indians have generally fine tigures, their 

 chests especially being well developed ; their skin is of a 

 copper hue, of various shades, sometimes almost of a dai'k 

 ])rown. The hair is jet-black, straight and thick, and never 

 curled. The eyes are black ; and they have little or no beard. 

 The face is generally wide, and somewhat flattened, witli but. 

 little or no projection of the cheek-bones. Indeed, their 

 features are often very regular ; and many, except in colour, 

 dilier but little from well-formed European C(juntenances. 



THE MUXDURUCUS. 

 One of the largest semi-civilized tribes inhabiting the banks 



(379) 0,9 



