346 APPENDIX B 



to a heavy boat. For exploration up-stream it would be valuable, 

 particularly as it is easily portable, weighing for the two horse-power 

 motor fifty pounds, for three and one-half horse-power one hun- 

 dred pounds. If a carburettor could be attached so that kerosene 

 could be used, it would add to its value many times, for kerosene 

 can be purchased almost anywhere in South America. 



Tents. — ^There is nothing better for material than the light 

 waterproof Sea Island cotton of American manufacture, made under 

 the trade name of waterproof silk. It keeps out the heaviest rain 

 and is very light. Canvas becomes water-soaked, and cravenetted 

 material lets the water through. A waterproof canvas floor is a 

 luxury, and, though it adds to the weight, it may with advantage 

 be taken on ordinary trips. The tent should be eight by eight or 

 eight by nine feet, large enough to swing a comfortable hammock. 

 A waterproof canvas bag and a loose-fitting envelope for the tent 

 should be provided. Native help is, as a rule, careless, and the 

 bag would save wear and tear. 



Hammocks. — The hammock is the South American bed, and the 

 traveller will find it exceedingly comfortable. After leaving the 

 larger cities and settlements a bed is a rare object. All the houses 

 are provided with extra hammock hooks. The traveller will be 

 entertained hospitably, and after dinner will be given two hooks 

 upon which to hang his hammock, for he will be expected to have 

 his hammock and, in insect time, his net, if he has nothing else. 

 As a rule a native hammock and net can be procured in the field ; 

 but it is best to take a comfortable one along, arranged with a fine- 

 meshed net. 



In regard to the folding cot : It is heavy, and its numerous legs 

 form a sort of highway system over which all sorts of insects can 

 crawl up to the sleeper. The ants are special pests, and some 

 of them can bite with the enthusiastic vigour of beasts many times 

 their size. The canvas floor in a tent obviates to a degree the 

 insect annoyance. 



The headwaters of the rivers are usually reached by pack-trains 

 of mules and oxen. The primitive ox-cart also comes in where the 

 trail is not too bad. One hundred and sixty to one hundred and 

 eighty pounds is a good load for the pack-animals, and none of the 



