PROVINCE OF MARANHAM. 



441 



las, in consequence of their prevailing custom of perforating and distending the 

 under Up, with a sort of calabash, or round piece of wood, which produces 

 some resemblance to a small gamella, or wooden bowl. They cultivate various 

 necessaries of life, and live in cabanas, when they are not out upon their hunt- 

 ing excursions, or gathering wild fruits. Their arms are the bow and arrow, 

 and a club of hard wood, denominated a mataranna, cornered at the thicker 

 end and pointed at the other. 



The Timbyras occupy the country to the south of them, and are divided into 

 two hordes, one denominated Timbyras da Matta, (of the wood,) from living 

 in the interior of forests ; the other, Timbyras de Canella Fina, from the deli- 

 cate form of their legs. They rove in the desert plains, and are of such amazing 

 velocity, that they equal the swiftness of the horse. All use a bow made of a 

 species of small club, and another large one of violet wood, and flat. Those 

 of the woods have in their territory a large lake, and mines of salt, which they 

 use, and cultivate mandioca and other necessaries, also some cotton, of which 

 they make their hammocks. They distil various beverages, more or less inebri- 

 ating, which last only for a short time, arising as much from the quality as the 

 excess with which they use them. From the period they begin to drink them, 

 till they are finished, are days of folly, dedicated to tumultuous dancing and 

 dissension. 



Proceeding southward, the Manajos are met with, who are of a white com- 

 plexion, and occupy a country to the west of Balsas, extending themselves to 

 the margin of the Tucantins, where they receive the name of Temembos. In 

 their vicinity dwell the Bus and Cupinharos. The territory bounding this pro- 

 vince and Para is inhabited by the Ge Indians, who are divided into five tribes, 

 distinguished by the appellations of Auge, Grange, Cannacatage, Poncatage, 

 and Paycoge, and almost without any difference of language or customs. 



The towns of this province are — 



Alcantara Moncao Vinhaes 



Guimarens Hycatu Passo do Lumiar 



St. Joam de Cortes Cachias Maranham. 



Vianna Tury 



Alcantara, about ten miles north-west of the capital is a large town, with 

 good houses, and agreeably situated upon elevated ground, having four hermi- 

 tages, a convent of slippered Carmalites, another of Mercenarios, and a fort, 



3 L 



