VALENTOENS. 



397 



disturbances were less frequent than formerly. 

 That there were now no Valentoens, valiant ones, 

 nor any contas verdes, green beads. * He ex- 

 plained to me the precise meaning of the former, 

 and the species of beads which were intended to 

 be described by the latter. These Valentoens were 

 men of all casts, whose whole business consisted 

 in seeking opportunities of quarrelling ; they at- 

 tended all festivals and fairs, and their desire 

 was to become so famous for courage as to ren- 

 der the knowledge of their presence on these 

 occasions sufficient to keep in awe any other in- 

 dividuals who might wish to create disturbances, 

 considering themselves privileged to revenge 

 their own and their friends' injuries; but they 



* Labat, in speaking of the Indians of Guyana, says, 

 *' Leurs plus grandes richesses consistent dans les colliers de 

 pierres vertes qui leur viennent de la riviere des Amazones. 

 Cest un limon quon peche dans le fond de quelques endroits 

 de ce grand Jleuve." He continues his description of them, 

 and then says, — " Ces pierres sont sptcifiques pour guerir 

 rtpilepsie ou le mal caduc, ou du moins pour en 6ter et sus- 

 pendre tous les accidens tout aidant de terns quon les porte sur 

 soi, et quelles touchant la peau." — Voyage du Chevalier des 

 MarcJiais en Guinde, isles voisines et a Cayenne, torn. iv. 

 p. 65. and 66. 



The lower orders in Brazil make use of an iron ring round 

 the wrist for this purpose. 



I was informed that the Contas Verdes came from Africa, 

 but some may have found their way from the Orellana, and 

 been put into requisition by the Mandingueiros. 



I refer the reader to the History of Brazil, vol. i. p. 607- 

 for a farther account of the green stones of the Amazons. 



i if 





