260 The Andes and the Amazon. 



per cent, more at the consulado. But this is not the sum 

 total. Those who live outside of the province of Para, 

 say above Obidos, must first pay an import of thirteen per 

 cent, to get their, produce into Para. For example : up the 

 river crude rubber can be bought for twenty-five cents a 

 pound ; the trader pa}* twenty-five cents an arroba (thir- 

 ty-two pounds) for transportation to Para from Santarem, 

 exclusive of canoe hire and shipping; thirteen per cent, 

 duty in entering Para, ten per cent, to the commission mer- 

 chant, and sixteen per cent, more as export tax ; making a 

 total loss on labor of about fifty per cent. Brazil abounds 

 with the most valuable woods in the world, but is prevent- 

 ed from competing with other nations by this system of 

 self -strangulation. In 1867 the import duty on timber was 

 twelve per cent. Though situated on the edge of a bound- 

 less forest. Para consumes large quantities of I^orth Ameri- 

 can pine. There is not a grist-mill on the Amazon, and 

 only two or three saw-mills. A dozen boards of red cedar 

 (a very common timber) costs 60$000 per thousand (about 

 thirty dollars) at Santarem. There is no duty on goods go- 

 ing to Peru. The current money, besides foreign gold, con- 

 sists of copper coins and imperial treasmy notes. The basis 

 of calculation is the imaginary rey^ equivalent to half a 

 mill. The coins in use are the vintem (twenty reys), answer- 

 ing to our cent, the half \dntem, and double vintem. The 

 currency has so fluctuated in value that many of the pieces 

 have been restamped. Fifty vintems make a milrey, ex- 

 pressed thus: 1§000. This is the smallest paper issue. 

 Unfortunately, the notes may suddenly fall below par. As 

 a great many counterfeits made in Portugal are in circula- 

 tion, the government recalls the issue which has been coun- 

 terfeited, notifying holders, by the provincial papers, that 

 all such bills must be exchanged for a new issue within 

 six months. Those not brought in at the end of that pe- 



