106 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



trees attain a height of 180 or even 200 feet. Such are the moiratinga, probably 

 a variety of the mora cxcelsa of Guiana ; the samaurna [eriodendron samauma), and 

 the massaranduba, or " milk-tree," whose sap is taken with coffee, though large 

 quantities appear to be dangerous. The widespreadiug branches of a gigantic 

 ceaba, discovered by Wallis on the banks of the Rio Branco, covered a space of 

 about six acres, where 25,000 persons might find standing room. The monguba, 

 another species of bombax or silk-cotton tree, has the peculiarity of shedding all 

 its leaves before sprouting again. 



A strange and striking feature of Amazonian arborescence consists in the great 

 development of the outer walls sustaining, but detached from, the stem, leaving an 

 intervening space wide enough to afford refuge to several persons. Another 

 characteristic of these woodlands are the countless species of parasitic growths, 

 climbing the trunk to reach the light, or clinging to the branches, from which 

 hang their long aerial roots, waving in the breeze, or interlacing with the 

 ascending lianas. 



Palms, of which there occur several hundred species, constitute a large propor- 

 tion of the arborescent forms, even forming whole forests in certain sandy districts 

 and on the margins of the savannas. In many places a single variety prevails — 

 the graceful assai {euterpe oleyacea) round about Para ; the paxiuba (iriartea 

 cschoryza) in parts of the Japura and Iça valleys ; the barrigoto (^iriartea venfricosa) 

 on the Upper Amazons ; the piassaba in the Pio Negro basin ; the tucum (asfro- 

 canjum ralgare) on the Purus and Jurua. 



European travellers are surprised by the lack of bright flowers. Even orchids 

 are rare, while edible fruits, abounding in some districts, are absent from others. 

 The sandy river-banks with a sunny aspect yield the caju {anacardium occidentale), 

 the fruit of which is much prized ; the guajeru (^cJivysohalamts icaco) of the coast- 

 lands, the wild pineapple {hromelia ahaca.ri), the inga hicida, and the various passion- 

 flowers, all contribute fruits or berries much valued by the natives. 



Other products of the selva, cabinet-woods, rubber, various gums, resins, and 

 camphorated substances, drugs, fibres, and dyewoods, exist in thousands and are 

 daily being more and more utilised by human industry. 



The Amazonian Fauna. 



The death-like stillness prevailing in many districts might lead the observer to 

 suppose that animal life was poorly represented in these woodlands. But if 

 individuals are few, the species present a great diversity. During his eleven years' 

 exploration in Amazonia, Bates collected as many as 14,712 animal forms, of which 

 8,000 were completely new to science. Life teems even in apparently deserted 

 parts of the selva ; the gloom beneath the undergrowth may be forsaken, while 

 the foliage bathed in light is alive with whole populations of insects, birds, and 

 even mammals. 



Most of the quadrupeds have so well adapted themselves to their environment 

 that they advance easily from tree to tree. The land mammals are both few and 

 nearly all of small size ; even the tapir, largest of all, is smaller than the original 



