2666 Insects. 



different from Para, being on a high dry bank, whereas Para is on a 

 low flat, almost level with the water in some places: I judged I 

 might take some novelties there. The climate of the place and the 

 hospitality of the people are most delightful; but the woods are not 

 so thickly peopled with the objects of our pursuit as those in the 

 neighbourhood of Para. I filled some five boxes of insects in the six 

 weeks I remained there, and noted about twenty new species. Whilst 

 there I became friendly with the Vice-President of the province, Dr. 

 Angelo Custodio Correa, one of the very few Brazilian gentlemen 

 here of any intelligence or taste : he has travelled a good deal : by 

 his assistance I got a passage in a large commodious vessel for the 

 interior, belonging to his brother-in-law it appears. I shall have an 

 opportunity to proceed on to the frontiers of Ecuador : the owner is 

 commander and supercargo both, and tells me he shall have great 

 pleasure in stopping at any place for a day or two, if I should wish to 

 explore it. I fully expect that in about a week, on my voyage to the 

 interior, I shall meet with many new species. We shall get along 

 very rapidly : it is now the dry season, and every day a strong trade 

 wind sets from the mouth of the river, and blows with steady force up 

 the valley of the Amazons: for about 1500 miles with this wind the 

 waters are tossed into waves, and squeamish stomachs are sure to be 

 sea-sick. In some parts the river is not unlike the sea ; the dark 

 blue waters lash themselves into foam ; in part of the view nothing is 

 seen but water and sky, and in other parts merely a dark line of fo- 

 rest. Two species of cetaceans are common, rolling about the vessel, 

 — one about fifteen feet long, which comes to the surface, makes a 

 short grunt and disappears." 



" Para, August 30th, 1849. 

 " The present is probably the last collection you will receive from 

 me of the productions of the lower Amazons. On Sunday, the 2nd 

 of September, I expect to embark for the city of Barra, on the Rio 

 Nigro, from thence intending to set out to some station further on, as 

 may be deemed convenient and desirable. The Mischief sails in 

 three or four days from this. Mr. Wallace and his brother have been 

 gone to Santarem — half-way to the Rio Nigro, or rather more — about 

 three weeks. My present collection is a small one, having searched 

 for those species only which are new or sent sparingly before, — the 

 greatest number of new things being taken at Cameta, and mostly 

 unique. Notwithstanding the length of time we have spent in the 



