618 The Andes and the Amazons. 



ing." As to health, I have little to add to page 331. I 

 have crossed the continent twice, and the Andes foiii- 

 times, and have not been ill a moment. Eat what nature 

 dictates — fruit and farinaceous dishes. Overindulgence 

 in stimulating food is a fruitful source of disease among 

 N^ortherners. The gastronomies of the cold North should 

 not be carried into the hot South. Avoid the night air 

 and needless exposure. Hang your hammock high, as 

 malarias creep on the ground. Getting wet is a serious 

 matter, for the rapid radiation causes a chill which is not 

 easily shaken off. " Paradoxical as it may sound, the great 

 cause of disease in hot climates is coldr Cotton or light 

 woolen garments are safer than linen. The vertical rays 

 of the sun are not to be dreaded so much as the horizontal 

 ones, which strike the forehead or occiput. Remember, 

 also, that wounds in the feet are difficult to heal in the 

 tropics. Between June and December is the best time for 

 travel ; and this, also, is the busy season on the Amazons. 



Every month a " floating palace " leaves New York for 

 the empire of the South. Suppose you engage passage by 

 the steamer of July 23 for Para; fare, $150 gold. The 

 following Saturday will find you in the harbor of St. 

 Thomas; and, passing the beautiful islands of Martinique 

 and Barbados, on Sunday, the 7th of August, you will 

 step upon the wharf of Para. At the Hotel Commercio 

 you will pay $2 50 a day. The architecture, commerce, 

 costumes, customs, and suburbs (especially Nazareth) of this 

 motley city can not fail to keep you busy, while profitable 

 excursions might be made to the island of Marajo and up 

 the Tocantins. Steamers leave Para for Manaos the 2d, 

 9th, and 18th of each month; and for Santarem and Obi- 

 dos, the 12th and 26th. Suppose that on the 18th you 

 board one of the Brazilian steamers bound for Manaos; 

 fare, $54 ; time, six days. In this voyage of a thousand 



