IN SOUTH AMERICA. 229 



On the prefent occafion, it is not meet I fhould expatiate on the manners and cuf- 

 toms of thefe nations, and of others I met with, beyond what is neceffary, from their 

 relation to phyfics or natural hiftory ; I fhall fay nothing, therefore, refpeding their 

 dances, inftruments, entertainments, arms, fifhing, and hunting apparatus, their whim- 

 fical ornaments of bones of fifhes and quadrupeds, run through their noftrils and lips, 

 or of their cheeks riddled with holes, which ferve them for fixing in feathers of various 

 hues ; but anatomifls will poffibly fee a theme for refledion in the monflrous extenfion 

 of the lobe of the lower part of the^ear, of certain nations of this people, without 

 any fenfible diminution of its thicknefs occurring in confequence of the prolongation. 

 We were much furprized at feeing lobes of this defcription, four or five inches in 

 length, pierced through by a hole from feventecn to eighteen lines in diameter, a cir- 

 cumftance which we were aflured was far from uncommon. After firfl making a hole, 

 they infert in it a narrow cylinder of wood, the fize of which is gradually augmented, 

 until the pendant lobe is fo much lengthened as to reach the Ihoulders, The chief de- 

 coration is a large nofegay or tuft of herbs and flowers, which is drawn through this 

 hole, forming mofl uncommon pendants. 



From Pevas, the laft of the miffionary fettlements belonging to the Spaniards, to 

 St. Pablo, the firfl defcending the river pertaining to the Portuguefe *, and in which a 

 deputation from the order of Mount Carmel officiates, the diflance is reckoned fix or 

 feven days' journey ; this diftance we travelled in three days and nights. In this inter- 

 val no dwelling is found on the banks of the river. Here begin the large iflands 

 formerly inhabited by the Omaguas, and here the bed of the river increafes fo much in 

 breadth, that oftentimes a fingle arm of it is from eight to nine hundred toifes broad. 

 As fo wide an extent of furface prefents great room for the adlion of wind, the waves 

 here run fo high, as at times to overwhelm the canoes by which it is navigated. On 

 our paflage from Pevas to Saint Pablo, we experienced two florms ; but owing to the 

 long experience of the Americans, it rarely happens they are furprized in the middle of 

 the river, and no imminent danger is to be apprehended, except where they are pre- 

 vented from feeking fhelter at the frequent mouths of fmall rivers or rivulets. Imme- 

 diately after the fubfidence of the wind, the current of the llream reftores the fyrface 

 to its priftine tranquillity. . 



The greatefl: peril in navigating this river arifes frbm the frequency of uprooted trees 

 flicking in the fand or mud, and concealed below the furface ; we ourfelves, by ftrik- 

 ing againft one thus under water, on approaching the fliore to gather forne wood 

 recommended as efficacious in the dropfy, were nearly overfet. To avoid fuch acci- 

 dents, the canoes are kept at a diftance from fhore, when, owing to the great depth,, 

 fuch trees as are carried along by the current float, and, being feen from a diftance, 

 are eafily avoided. 



I fhall not dilate on another accident, much lefs common, but always fatal, to which 

 thofe are liable who keep near the coaft, I mean the fudden fall of trees, whether owing 

 to caducity, or the ground beneath them being gradually undermined by the waters. 

 Many canoes with all their crews have by fuch cafualties been entirely overwhelmed, 

 though, unlefs on fimilar occafions, the drowning of a native is an occurrence never 

 he9.rd of. 



On the immediate banks of the Maranon there is now no warlike tribes inimical tcK 

 Europeans, all having either fubmitted or withdrawn themfelves to the interior : ftill,. 



* By reference to the letter of Mr. Godin, will be feen, that two fettlements, fince the voyage of M.' 

 de la Condamine, have been formed ; the one Loreta, belonging to the Spaniards, lelow Pevas, the other 

 iJavatinga, belonging to the Portuguefe, aiove San Pablo, at the mouth of the river Yavari, 



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