ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. 277 



cate the disease to their fellows ; which soon effectually swept off countless 

 numbers. Truly, under such circumstances it is not surprising that the 

 Botocudos do not act less cruelly towards the whites. 



All Botocudos are of medium size, thick-set, broad shouldered, and 

 strongly built. In war, they steal upon their enemies in the manner employed 

 by them when hunting game. Their weapons consist of a bow seven feet 

 long, with arrows five feet in length. Their leaders are distinguished more 

 by prudence in the arrangement of the battle, than by valor ; they do not 

 even take part in the combat. Their prisoners are killed in order that the 

 flesh may be eaten ; the flesh of negroes, however, is preferred to that of 

 w^hites. The Botocudos appear to be particularly fond of the blood of the 

 slain. On the whole, we have but few accounts of their customs and 

 usages. [PL 36, fig. 5, a, single combat of Botocudos ; fig. 5, h, battle of 

 women of this nation.) 



Besides the above are the Canarins, Machakans, Malalis, Patachos, 

 Camacans, Paniames, &c., as well as the Capoxos (Capochos, Caposfios), 

 a nomadic tribe in the rocky mountain forests, upon the boundary between 

 Minas Geraes and Porto Seguro (/?/. 35, fig. 2, Capoxos shooting birds), 

 the Sabujos, &c. 



The Camacans have gradually accustomed themselves to fixed residences. 

 Their skin has a handsome brown, often tolerably dark color. Their huts 

 are constructed of laths, and covered with pieces of bark of trees. Around 

 them they plant bananas, maize, manioc (the roots of which they eat roasted), 

 and sweet potatoes ; honey is one of their most esteemed articles of food. 

 Some skill in the arts is displayed by them. The women in particular are 

 very dexterous in manufacturing cotton, the threads of which they under- 

 stand how to twist in a very neat manner, so as to be able to make of them 

 an apron, their only article of clothing. On festive occasions they wear 

 besides a cap, called sharo, which consists of a cotton-thread net, trimmed 

 with parrot feathers. Very neat vessels are made by them of clay. In 

 case the spoils of hunting have been good, the Camacans are very much 

 inclined to get up feasts, with dancing and singing, at which they go by 

 turns to a cask and drink cam, a liquor prepared from maize and manioc by 

 the women. (PL S2, fig. 1, Camacans in the forest; fig. 2, the dancing and 

 drinking feast just mentioned.) 



In the province of Mato Grosso live the Caupeses, Guajis, Cabijis, 

 Parecis, &c. ; upon the west side, in the eastern part of Campos dos 

 Parecis, however, and upon the northern declivity of this table land, the 

 Maturares, Mambares, Ujapas, Mambriacas, and many others. 



In the province of Goyaz, and the neighboring countries, dwell the Caya- 

 pos (Caipos), Aroes, Tapirakes, Chavantes, Cherentes, Puchetys, Car ay as, 

 Tapacoas, &c. ; and especially the Ges or Gez, a great nation, of whom 

 many populous hordes and tribes are known. They reside in the country 

 between the Tocantins and Araguya, to within 140 miles south of San Pedro 

 de Alcantara, and extend their excursions frequently as far northwards as 

 Para. Until the present time they have remained unsubdued, but isolated 

 hordes have commercial intercourse with travellers. On account of their 



ICONOGRAPmC ENCYCLOrjEDIA. VOL. III. 29 449 



