196 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



Although no longer on board an independent steamer, we 

 are still the guests of the company, having government 

 passages. Nothing can be more comfortable than the 

 travelling on these Amazonian boats. They are clean 

 and well kept, with good-sized state-rooms, which most 

 persons use, however, only as dressing-rooms, since it is 

 always more agreeable to sleep on the open deck in one's 

 hammock. The table is very well kept, the fare good, 

 though not varied. Bread is the greatest deficiency, but 

 hard biscuit makes a tolerable substitute. Our life is after 

 this fashion. We turn out of our hammocks at dawn, go 

 down stairs to make our toilets, and have a cup of hot 

 coffee below. By this time the decks are generally washed 

 and dried, the hammocks removed, and we can go above 

 again. Between then and the breakfast hour, at half 

 past ten o'clock, I generally study Portuguese, though 

 my lessons are somewhat interrupted by watching the 



most favorable season ! I have resolved to make more numerous stations in the 

 upper part of the river and to stay as long as my strength and means will 

 allow. Do not think, however, that I forget to whom I owe such a success. 

 It is you who have put me on the path, by making known to me the resources 

 of the forest, and, better Still, by furnishing me with the means to profit by 

 them. Thanks, a thousand times, thanks. I ought also to acknowledge the 

 assistance afforded me by the agents of the Company, at all the points where 

 we have touched. Our amiable commander has also exerted himself, and 

 while I explored the lakes in the neighborhood of Villa Bella, he made a 

 very fine collection in the Amazons, especially of the numerous small species 

 always overlooked by fishermen. On the arrival of the Belem I received 

 your kind letter and a part of the alcohol I had asked from Mr. Bond. I 

 am writing to-day to ask him to send me a part to Teffe, and, somewhat 

 later, more to Manaos. Thank you for the catalogue of Para fishes ; I shall 

 give it back on our return, with the additions I shall make during the re- 

 mainder of the voyage. Adieu, my dear friend. 



Ever yours, 



L. Agassiz. 



