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INDIAN AND OTHER 



portunities without a murmur, until the first symptoms of ap- 

 proaching dissolution manifest themselves. Then it is that he 

 is surrounded by a multitude of females, some of whom for- 

 cibly close the mouth and eyes ; others envelop him in the 

 hammock, oppressing him with the whole of their weight, 

 and causing him to expire before his time ; and others, lastly, 

 run to extinguish the candle, and dissipate the smoke, that 

 the soul, not being able to perceive the hole through which 

 it may escape, may remain entangled in the strudlure of the 

 roof. That this may be speedily efFedled, and to prevent its 

 return to the interior of the dwelling, they surround the en- 

 trances with filth, by the stench of which it may be ex- 

 pelled. 



Relatively to the destiny of the soul itself, there are various 

 opinions : some believe that it goes to the other world, to live 

 as in this one, but in the enjoyment of a greater degree of re- 

 pose. One of the earliest missionaries to the Maynas tribe, 

 inquired of a dying old man, whether he was desirous to visit 

 another world ? He replied, without hesitation, yes, and for 

 this reason, that his relations were there, in expe6tation of 

 him, with boiled plantains and yucas*. As whatever they 

 figure to themselves is material, they are consequently of opi- 

 nion that, in a future state, there are dances and scenes of re- 

 velry, wars, and rural excursions. The flashes of lightning 

 are the assaults ; the noise of the exhalations, the decapitated 

 enemies, who are instantly converted into wild-beasts ; and 

 the milky way, the grove of diversions. The warrior there 

 finds a splendid reception ; on which account they are accus- 



The root of which the cassada bread is made. 



tomed 



