312 THE LOWEE AMAZONS. 



in 1820, by M. Bonpland, near the junction of tlie Parana 

 and Paraguay Rivers. It was afterward met with by 

 other travellers, but Sir R, H. Schomberg, who found it 

 in Guiana, in 1837, was the first to attempt to introduce 

 it in cultivation in Europe and our own country. The 

 immense leaves are nearly circular, four to six feet in 

 diameter, and float upon the water ; the edge being raised 

 so as to form a rim about three inches high. The under- 

 surface presents a remarkably ridged appearance, from tlie 

 prominence of the ribs which constitute the frame of the 

 gigantic leaf. These veins are nearly an inch in height, 

 and consist of eight main ones radiating from the centre 

 of the peltate leaf, strengthened by cross-ribs, thus form- 

 ing a strong support. This net-work, with the calyx, is 

 covered with long prickles, as is also the petiole, which is 

 an inch in diameter, and which lengthens rapidly to adapt 

 itself to the deepening waters during the periodical swell- 

 ing of the rivers. The color above is a vivid green, while 

 below it is a purj^lish crimson. The beautiful, fragrant 

 flower is twelve to fifteen inches in diameter, with petals 

 six inches in length, and is at first of a pure Avhite color, 

 gradually assuming a rose-tint after its expansion. The 

 leaves will support a great weight. They have been 

 known to uphold one hundred and fifty pounds — a cover- 

 ing being placed upon the leaf to equalize the pressure. 

 The Indians are said, while engaged in gathering the 

 seeds, which they use for food, to cradle their infants upon 

 the leaves, which are first covered with a light skin.* 



Two hours after passing the mouth of tr»e Madeira, 

 v\'e reached Serpa, a little Indian village of about seventy 

 houses, located upon a clayey bluff" twenty-five feet above 

 the ordinary level of the river." One hundred and thirty 

 miles below Serpa, upon the south bank, stands Villa 

 Bella, where we took on nibber and pirariicn, which, with 



* Pec fronlispiece. 



