634 UAPES AND PURUPURUS INDIANS. 



husband would not hesitate on such an occasion to sacrifice 

 his daughter or wife. 



The Indians of the Uapes manufacture with great neatness 

 a variety of articles, such as fine hammocks, baskets, and 

 gourds which they paint with elegant devices ; also earthen- 

 ware water-pitchers and pans for cooking, and clay ovens. 

 They also show skill in making several musical instruments 

 like fifes and whistles, as also drums and all sorts of orna- 

 ments for the person. Their feather dresses are remarkable 

 for their elegance and the labour bestowed on them. 



The Purupurus, one of the most savage tribes, have an in- 

 strument employed by no others called the palheta. It is 

 a piece of wood with a projection at the end, in which the 

 base of the arrow is secured. The arrow is held with the 

 handle of the palheta in the hand, and thus thrown as a stone 

 from a sling. The natives exhibit wonderful dexterity in the 

 use of this weapon, and with the greatest facility kill birds, 

 fish, and game of all sorts with it. 



