RIO NEGRO 



225 



to an enormous size, and the punctures aggravated into 

 spreading sores. ^ 



A brisk wind from the east sprang up early in the 

 morning of the 22nd : we then hoisted all sail, and made 

 for the mouth of the Rio Negro. This noble stream at 

 its junction with the Amazons, seems, from its position, 

 to be a direct continuation of the main river, whilst the 

 Solimoens which joins at an angle and is somewhat nar- 

 rower than its tributary, appears to be a branch instead 

 of the main trunk of the vast water-system. One sees 

 therefore at once, how the early explorers came to give a 

 separate name to this upper part of the Amazons. The 

 Brazilians have lately taken to applying the convenient 

 term Alto Amazonas (High or Upper Amazons), to the 

 Solimoens, and it is probable that this will gradually 

 prevail over the old name. The Rio Negro broadens 

 considerably from its mouth upwards, and presents the 

 appearance of a great lake ; its black-dyed waters having 

 no current, and seeming to be dammed up by the im- 

 petuous flow of the yellow, turbid Solimoens, which here 

 belches forth a continuous line of uprooted trees and 

 patches of grass, and forms a striking contrast with its 

 tributary. In crossing, we passed the line, a little more 

 than half-way over, where the waters of the two rivers 

 meet and are sharply demarcated from each other. On 

 reaching the opposite shore, we found a remarkable 

 change. All our insect pests had disappeared, as if by 

 magic, even from the hold of the canoe : the turmoil of 

 an agitated, swiftly flowing river, and its torn, perpen- 

 dicular, earthy banks, had given place to tranquil water 

 and a coast indented with snug little bays, fringed with 

 sloping sandy beaches. The low shore and vivid light 

 green endlessly- varied foliage, which prevailed on the 

 south side of the Amazons, were exchanged for a hilly 

 country, clothed with a sombre, rounded, and monoto- 

 nous forest. Our tedious voyage now approached its 

 termination ; a light wind carried us gently along the 



^ The Piiim belongs probably to the same species as the 

 Mosquito of the Orinoco, described by Humboldt, and which 

 he referred to the genus Simulium, several kinds of which 

 inhabit Europe. Our insect is nearly allied to Simulium, but 

 differs from the genus in several points, chiefly in the nervures 

 of the wings. 



p 



