1848.] 



AROYAS. 



51 



confused, dipping in various directions about 12°, with 

 volcanic masses rising up among them. As nearly as we 

 could judge by the distances we had come, these rapids must 

 be in about 4° of south latitude, where a considerable bend in 

 the river occurs. Above are numerous falls and rapids, and 

 after a time the forest ceases, and open undulating plains are 

 found. From the point we reached, the country becomes 

 very interesting, and we much regretted that we were unable 

 to explore it further. 



On our return to Aroyas, our men, while descending the 

 various smaller rapids, shouted and sang in the most wild and 

 excited manner, and appeared to enjoy it amazingly. They 

 had had a hard day's work, having paddled and poled about 

 twenty miles against a powerful current, in some places so 

 strong as to require all their exertions to keep the boat's head 

 up the stream. At Aroyas we took some coffee, and then 

 turned into our redes in an open shed about twelve feet 

 square, at the back part of the house, where six or eight 

 other members of the family also found room for themselves. 

 We were kept awake some time by our pilot, who had got 

 drunk on caxaga, and was very violent and abusive, so to quiet 

 him we administered another glass or two, which soon had the 

 desired sedative effect. The next morning he looked very dull 

 and sheepish ; in fact, most of the Tapuyas, or half-civilised 

 Indians, consider it disgraceful to get drunk, and seem ashamed 

 afterwards. 



After paying our hostess in biscuit, tea, and sugar, which 

 were great luxuries to her, we started on our return to the 

 canoe, which we reached about noon, having stayed an hour to 

 explore the igaripe for gold, but without the smallest success. 

 At the canoe we found that Isidora had some turtle stew ready, 

 to which we did ample justice, and, finding the man we had 

 left with him very ill, went on immediately to Jucahipuah, 

 where he could have some "remedios" given him by the 

 women. We found there a canoe going to Baiao, and sent 

 him by it, as he would thus get home sooner than if he 

 remained with us. 



While walking on the beach I saw a tall, narrow-leaved, 

 white-flowered Polygonum^ so like some of our British species 

 as to call up thoughts of home and of my botanical rambles 

 there. Many curious land-shells were found, but all dead and 



