422 



hut to hut in the idea of coming upon them, 

 hefore their occupations were interrupted by 

 the curiofity which we thought it probable 

 might be excited from the unexpected arrival of 

 a party of clothed ftrangers among them. But 

 on this head we need have had no anxiety. Not 

 an individual fuffered any interruption from 

 our prefence. The curiofity, by which we 

 were actuated, was in no degree reciprocal ; for 

 fcarcely did any one take the trouble even to 

 look towards us! We palTed through their 

 huts, and around their perfons, in a manner 

 unnoticed ; and they continued at work, or 

 unemployed, precifely as we found them ! 

 Whether on their legs, whether feated or ly- 

 ing in their hammocks, fo they remained, no 

 obfervable change being induced by our vifit. 



Added to the gratification of our curiofi- 

 ty it was in part our object to collect: fpecimens 

 of natural production, or of Indian workman- 

 ship. We accordingly procured a varied 

 aiTemblage, in which was a fmall and very 

 beautiful little animal called the Lion monkey ; 

 alfo a Laba, whofe fleih is efteemed*fhe moft 

 delicious food of the country. In appearance 

 this animal fomewhat re fern hies the hare, but 



