THE BANKS OF THE AMAZONS. 47 



butterflies that the Amazonian forests are unrivalled, whether 

 we consider the endless variety of the species, their large size, 

 or their gorgeous colour. South America is the richest part 

 of the world in this group of insects, and the Amazons seems 

 the richest part of South America. 



In more than one respect the Amazons reminds one of the 

 ocean, from whose bosom its waters originally arose. Like the 

 ^ea, it forms a barrier between various species of animals ; for 

 the monkeys on its northern bank are different from those of 

 the forests on its southern side, and many an insect — nay, 

 even many a bird — finds an impassable barrier in the enormous 

 width of the river. Like the sea, it has a peculiar species of 

 dolphin, and hundreds of miles up the stream, sea-mews and 

 petrels, deceived by its grandeur, screech or shoot in arrowy 

 flight over its fish-teeming waters. As over the ocean, or in 

 the desert, the illusions of the mirage are also produced over 

 the surface of the Maraiion. The distant banks, not always 

 clearly defined even in the morning, disappear wholly at noon, 

 and the rays of the sun are then so refracted that the long rows 

 of palms appear in an inverted position. 



The dreadful storms which burst suddenly over the Amazons, 

 likewise rec£il to memory the tornados of the ocean. The 

 howlings of the monkeys, the shrill tones of the mews, and the 

 visible terror of all animals, first announce the approaching 

 conflict of the elements. The crowns of the palms rustle and 

 bend, while as yet no breeze is perceptible on the surface of 

 the stream ; but, like a warning voice, a hollow murmur in 

 the air precedes the black clouds ascending from the horizon, 

 like grim warriors ready for battle. And now the old forest 

 groans under the shock of the hurricane ; a night-like darkness 

 veils the face of nature ; and, while torrents of rain descend 

 amid uninterrupted sheets of lightning and terrific peals of 

 thunder, the river rises and falls in waves of a dangerous 

 height. Then it requires a skilful hand to preserve the boat 

 from sinking ; but the Indian pilots steer with so masterly a 

 hand, and understand so well the first symptoms of the storm, 

 that it seldom takes them by surprise, or renders them victims 

 of its fury. 



Among the dangers of the Amazons, the rapids must not be 

 forgotten that frequently arise where large tracts of the bank. 



