242 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



of species from the Amazonian waters to more than six 

 hundred, every day showing more clearly how distinctly 

 the species are localized, and that this immense basin is 

 divided into numerous zoological areas, each one of which 

 has its own combination of fishes. Our stay at Telfe draws 

 to a close, and to-day begins the great work of packing, in 

 preparation for the arrival of the steamer at the end of the 

 week. These days are the most laborious of all ; on leav- 

 ing every station, all the alcoholic specimens have to be 

 overhauled, their condition ascertained, the barrels, kegs, 

 and cans examined, to make sure that the hoops are fast, 

 and that there are no leakages. Fortunately, there are 

 some of our party who are very dexterous as coopers and 

 joiners, and at these times the laboratory is turned into 

 a workshop. We were reminded of the labors of the day 

 by a circular distributed at breakfast this morning : — 



" Sir : — The ' United Coopers' Association ' will meet in the lab- 

 oratory after breakfast. You are particularly requested to attend. 



"Teffe, Oct. irth, 1865." 



And at this moment the laboratory rings with click of ham- 

 mer, and nails, and iron hoops. As usual, there are a 

 number of uninvited spectators watching the breaking up 

 of the scientific establishment, which has been, during the 

 past month, a source of constant entertainment to the va- 

 grant population of Teflr<^. In this country of open doors 

 and windows one has not the same protection against intru- 

 sion as in a colder climate, and we have had a constant 

 succession of curious visitors hanging about our premises. 



I have dwelt especially on the fish collection ; but we do 

 not go away empty-handed in other respects. Mr. Dexter 

 has prepared a large number of the forest birds for mounting, 

 — papagaios, toucans, and a great variety of smaller species 



