76 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



Para is developed tlie dangerous gulf of the " fresli-watcr sea," with its islands, 

 currents, high tides, and bores. 



In the northern basin of the Ouassa the three villages of Rocaona, Coiin'pi, and 

 Ouassa are mere groups of huts round which roam the Palicour and Aroua Indians. 

 Even the ranehos of Cachipour give shelter to scarcely more than a dozen 

 families. The two already mentioned villages of Coitiiani and 3Iap% are situated 

 farther south. Mapa stands near the place where the French had erected their 

 little forr, in 1836, and has the advantage of lying nearest to the Carapaporis road- 

 stead. Both of these villages contain a few wood and brick houses rising above 

 the groups of palm roofed huts. They have also each its school, and the intellec- 

 tual and moral condition of the inhabitants differs little from that prevalent in the 

 surrounding European settlements. In 1890 a service of steamers was established 

 between Para and the mouth of the Mapa river, with an intermediate port of 

 call at Bailique hland at the entrance of the Amazons estuary. 



All these little centres of population have been constituted so many adminis- 

 trative " captainries," each with its "first captain," "second captain," and 

 " brigadier," officials who are listened to when they have any personal worth, but 

 whose orders are unheeded when displeasing to the citizens. In these microscopic 

 communities unanimity alone may be said to have force of law. The officers 

 themselves are nominated by acclamation in the public gatherings, and deposed 

 by the same summary process. 



