104 



AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



Atlantic by extensive grassy spaces, such as the campo (plain) of Alemquer and parts 

 of Marajo Island. Towards the west it broadens out over the Upper Orinoco 

 basin, and also comprises the eastern slopes of South Colombia, of Ecuador, Peru, 

 and Bolivia, as well as the low-lying plains traversed by all the southern Amazons 

 affluents below, and even for some distance above, the rapids in the direction of 

 the Brazilian plateaux. 



Many parts of the selva have never been visited or traversed except by the 



Fi^. 35. — Diurnal Tempekatuees of Para and London. 



natural routes of its navigable streams, although its true character is not best seen 

 from the banks of creeks or rivers. The traveller sailing up the Amazons sees 

 little except a compact wall of forest trees interlaced with lianas, overtopped by a 

 continuous mass of verdure, the stems rising on both banks like a line of pali- 

 sades straight as reeds, enveloped in gloom at their base, expanding overhead to 

 the light of the sun. From the boats in midstream no precise forms can be dis- 

 tinguished in this rampart of vegetation ; to form some idea of the endless variety 

 of trees and shrubs the observer must penetrate into some of these sinuous igarapés 



