LIFE IN RIO CONTINUED. 



93 



the Tocantins, and descend tliat river to the Amazons, 

 while the others will follow the valley of the Piauhy to 

 the coast. This is a long, difficult, but, as we are as- 

 sured, not a dangerous journey for young and vigorous 

 men. But wishing to anticipate every trouble that may 

 befall them, Mr. Agassiz has made it his business to as- 

 certain, as far as possible, the nature of the route, and 

 to obtain letters to the most influential people for every 

 step of the road. This has been no light task ; in a 

 country where there are no established means of internal 

 communication, where mules, guides, camaradas, and even 

 an armed escort may be necessary, and must be provided 

 for in advance, the preparation for a journey through the 

 interior requires a vast deal of forethought. Add to this 

 the national habit of procrastination, the profound convic- 

 tion of the Brazilian that to-morrow is better than to-day, 

 and one may understand how it happens that, although it 

 has been a primary object since our arrival to expedite the 

 party to the Tocantins, their departure has been delayed 

 till now. And yet it would be the height of ingratitude 

 to give the impression that there has been any backward- 

 ness on the part of the Brazilians themselves, or of their 

 government, to facilitate the objects of the expedition. On 

 the contrary, they not only show a warm interest, but the 

 utmost generosity, and readiness to give all the practical 

 aid in their power. Several leading members of the Cabi- 

 net, the Senate, and the House of Representatives have 

 found time now, when they have a war upon their hands, 

 and when one ministry has been going out and another 

 coming in, not only to prepare the necessary introductions 

 for these parties from Rio to the Amazons, but also to write 

 out the routes, giving the most important directions and 



