MISSION OF MAYPURES. 217 



tlie Indians of the Orinoco, prepare nourishing drinks CHAP.XVIII 

 from the fruits of palms and other plants. Some of jjanlinii^mrc 

 them were occupied in manufacturing a coarse pottery, of pottery. 

 Cattle, and especially goats, had at one time multiplied 

 considerably at Maypures ; but at the period of Hum- 

 boldt's visit none were to be seen in any mission of the 

 Orinoco. Tame macaws Avere seen round the huts, and 

 flying in the fields like pigeons. Their plumage being 

 of the most vivid tints of purple, blue, and yellow, 

 these birds are a great ornament to tlie Indian farm- 

 yards. 



Round the village there grows a majestic tree of the unona tree, 

 genus Unona, Avith straight branches rising in the form 

 of a pyramid. The infusion of the aromatic fruit is a 

 powerful febrifuge, and is used as such in preference to 

 the astringent bark of the Cinchona or Bonplandia 

 trifoUata. 



The longitude of this place was found to be 68° 17' 0", 

 the latitude 6° 18' 67", differing from the best maps 

 then existing by half a degree of longitude and as much 

 of latitude. The thermometer during the night indicated 

 from 80° to 84°, and in the day 86°. The water of the 

 river was 81-7°, and that of a spring 82°. 



Having spent some days at the mission of Maypures, change of 

 the travellers embarked at two in the afternoon in the scenerj-. 

 canoe procured at the turtle island, which, although 

 considerably damaged by the carelessness of the Indians, 

 was judged sufficient for the long voyage they had yet 

 to perform. Above the great cataracts they found 

 themselves as it were in a new world. Toward the 

 east, in the extreme distance, rose the great chain of the 

 Cunavami mountains, one of the peaks of which, named 

 Calitamini, reflects at sunset a reddish glare of light. 

 After encountering one more rapid, they entered upon 

 smooth water, and passed the night in a rocky island. 



On the 22d they set out at an early hour. The 

 morning was damp but delicious, and not a breath of 

 wind was felt ; a perpetual calm reigning to the south 



