CHAPTER XVIII. 



NATIVES OF THE VALLEY OF THE AMAZON. 



VAST number of tribes inhabit the banks of the 

 Amazon and its tributaries, who, though having a 

 general resemblance, differ in their habits and cus- 

 toms. Those found on the Lower Amazon are more or less 

 civilized, and are known as Tupis, or Tapuyas. Thej speak 

 the lingua Geral, and sometimes Portuguese. The lingua 

 Geral is the ancient Tupee language, considerably modified by 

 the Jesuits, who taught it to all those under their control. 



The Amazonian Indians have generally tine figures, their 

 ('bests especially being well developed ; their skin is of a 

 copper hue, of various shades, sometimes almost of a dark 

 brown. The hair is jet-black, straight and thick, and never 

 curled. The eyes are black ; and they have little or no beard 

 The face is generally wide, and somewhat flattened, with but 

 little or no projection of the cheek-bones. Indeed, their 

 features are often very regular ; and many, except in colour, 

 differ but little from well-formed European countenances. 



THE MUNDURUCUS. 

 One of th< largest semi-civilized tribes inhabiting the banks 



(379; 3Q 



