SCENES ON THE AMAZON. 303 



overhead, enabling the traveller in his canoe to proceed for 

 miles together sheltered from the noonday sun. Here and 

 there a glimpse of the sky can he discovered through the 

 umbrageous foliage overhead, while birds of gay plumage flit 

 to and fro, or sit perched on the branches uttering their 

 strange and varied cries. In the intervals, or sometimes 

 forming the termination of the water-path, numerous pools of 

 various sizes exist — some a few yards across, others expanding 

 into lakes — tilled mostly by the overflowing of the main river 

 during the rainy season. They are the habitations of a great 

 variety of fishes. Here several species of turtles and alli- 

 gators swarm in vast numbers ; electric eels, too, abound in 

 them, as well as many of the other curious water-creatures of 

 that region. Water-fowl and various other aquatic birds dwell 

 on their banks, while on the surface of their placid waters 

 float the wide-spreading leaves and magnificent blossoms of 

 the Victoria Regia, as also of other lilies and water-plants. 



SCENES ON THE AMAZON. 



The chief feature of the Lower Amazon is the vast expanse 

 of smooth water, of a pale yellowish-olive colour, bearing on 

 its bosom detached masses of aquatic grass floating down like 

 islands, sometimes mixed with huge trees, their branches and 

 roots interlocked, and often carrying among them wild animals, 

 which, unconscious of their character, have there taken refuge 

 from their foes, or have ventured thither in search of prey. 

 The timid stag and fierce jaguar are sometimes thus entrapped 

 and carried out to sea. At even and morn flocks of parrots 

 and large and yellow macaws fly backwards and forwards, 

 uttering their wild and hoarse cries ; herons and rails frequent 

 the marshes on its banks ; while all night long the cries of 



