RETURN TO MANAOS. 



259 



barge with its white awning, the gay canoe, and two or 

 three Indian montarias. After breakfast our party dis- 

 persed, some to rest in their hammocks, others to hunt 

 or fish, while Mr. Agassiz was fully engaged in examining 

 a large basket of fish, Tucanar^s (Cichla), Acaras (Heros 

 and other genera), Curimatas (Anodus), Surubims (Pla- 

 tystoma), &c., just brought up from the lake for his in- 

 spection, and showing again, what every investigation dem- 

 onstrates afresh, namely, the distinct localization of species 

 in each different water basin, be it river, lake, igarape, or 

 forest pool. 



One does not see much of the world between one o'clock 

 and four, in this climate. These are the hottest hours of 

 the day, and there are few who can resist the temptation 

 of the cool, swinging hammock, slung in some shady spot 

 within doors or without. After a little talk with our 

 Indian hostess and her daughter, I found a quiet retreat 

 by the lake-shore, where, though I had a book in my 

 hand, the wind in the trees overhead, the water rippling 

 softly around the montarias moored at my side, lulled 

 me into that mood of mind when one may be lazy with- 

 out remorse or ennui. The highest duty seems then to 

 be to do nothing. The monotonous notes of a " Viola " 

 came to me from a group of trees at a little distance, 

 where our boatmen were resting in the shade, the red 

 fringes of their hammocks giving to the landscape just 

 the bit of color which it needed ; occasionally a rustling 

 flight of parroquets or ciganas overliead startled me for 

 a moment, or a large pirarucu plashed out of the water, 

 but except for these sounds nature was still, and animals 

 as well as men seemed to pause in the heat and seek 

 shelter. Dinner brought us all together again at the 



