LIFE AT MANAOS. 201 



result of the Peruvian journey been more certain, the 

 decision would have been easier ; but it is more than 

 likely that the torrential rains of this latitude have de- 

 composed the surface and swept away all traces of glaciers, 

 if they ever existed at so low a level. To go on, therefore, 

 seemed a little like giving up a certain for an uncertain 

 result. Earnestly desirous of making the best use of his 

 time and opportunities here, this doubt has disturbed Mr. 

 Agassiz's waking and sleeping thoughts for several days 

 past. Yesterday morning, at TefFe, a most unexpected 

 adviser appeared in the midst of our council of war. 

 Insignificant in size, this individual, nevertheless, brought 

 great weight to the decision. The intruder was a small 

 fish with his mouth full of young ones. The practical 

 plea was irresistible, — embryology carried the day. A 

 chance of investigating so extraordinary a process of de- 

 velopment, not only in this species but in several others 

 said to rear their young in the same fashion, was not to 

 be thrown away ; and, besides, there was the prospect of 

 making a collection and a series of colored drawings, from 

 the life, of the immense variety of fishes in the river and 

 lake of Telfe, and perhaps of studying the embryology of 

 the turtles and alligators in their breeding season. Mr. 

 Agassiz, therefore, decides to return to Teif^ with his 

 artist and two or three other assistants, and to make a 

 station there for a month at least, leaving Mr. Bourget, 

 with our Indian fisherman, at Tabatinga to collect in that 

 region, and sending Mr. James and Mr. Talisman to the 

 river Putumayo, or I§a, and afterwards to the Hyutahy 

 for the same purpose. This dispersion of parties to col- 

 lect simultaneously in different areas, divided from each 

 other by considerable distances, will show how the fishes 



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