28 



TRAVELS ON THE AMAZON, 



finding that we sank the little boat to within two inches of the 

 water's edge, and that a slight motion of any one of the party 

 would be enough to swamp us altogether. However, there was 

 no help for it, so off we went, but soon found that with its 

 unusual load our boat leaked so much that we had to keep 

 baling by turns with a calabash all the time. This was not 

 very agreeable ; but after a few miles we got used to it, and 

 looked to the safe termination of our voyage as not altogether 

 improbable. 



The picturesque and novel appearance of the river's banks, 

 as the sun rose, attracted all our attention. The stream, 

 though but an insignificant tributary of the Amazon, was wider 

 than the Thames. The banks were everywhere clothed with a 

 dense forest. In places were numerous mangroves, their roots 

 descending from the branches into the water, having a curious 

 appearance ; on some we saw the fruit germinating on the tree, 

 sending out a shoot which would descend to the water, and 

 form another root to the parent. Behind these rose large 

 forest-trees, mingled with the Assai, Miriti, and other palms 

 while passion-flowers and ^convolvuluses hung their festoons to 

 the water's edge. 



As we advanced the river became narrower, and about seven 

 o'clock we landed, to stretch our cramped limbs, at a sitio, 

 where there was a tree covered with the hanging nests of the 

 yellow troupial, with numbers of the birds continually flying in 

 and out. In an hour more we passed Larangeiras, a pretty 

 spot, where there are a few huts, and the residence of Senhor C, 

 the Commandante of the district. Further on we turned into 

 a narrow igaripe, which wound about in the forest for a mile or 

 two, when a sudden turn at length brought us the welcome 

 sight of the mills. Here a hearty welcome from Mr. Leavens, 

 and a good breakfast, quite compensated for our four hours' 

 cramping in the montaria, and prepared us for an exploring 

 expedition among the woods, paths, and lakes in the vicinity. 



Our daily routine during our stay at the mills was as follows : 

 — We rose at half-past five, when whoever pleased took a 

 bath at the mill-stream. We then started, generally with our 

 guns, into the forest, as early in the morning is the best time 

 for shooting, and Mr. Leavens often accompanied us, to show 

 us the best feeding-trees. At eight we returned to breakfast, 

 and then again started off in search of insects and plants till 



