810 



A JOURNEY IN BRAZIL. 



either of cotton or calico, and their long, thick black hair 

 drawn up and fastened on the top of their head by a semi- 

 cii'cular comb, brought so far forward that the edge is about 

 on a line with the forehead. A bunch of flowers is general- 

 ly stuck under the comb on one side. I have never seen 

 an Indian woman who did not wear one of these round 

 combs ; although of foreign manufacture, they find their 

 way to the most isolated forest settlements, brought, I 

 suppose, by the travelling pedlers, " regatao." These 

 gentry are known everywhere on the banks of the Am- 

 azons and its tributaries, and are said to be most un- 

 principled in their dealings with the Indians, who fall 

 readily into the traps set for them by the wily traders. 

 In one of the reports of Dr. Adolfo, who, during his 

 short but able administration, exposed, and as far as it 

 was in his power reformed, abuses in the province of 

 the Amazonas, he says, after speaking of the great need 

 of religious instruction in the more remote settlements ; 

 " To-day who goes to seek the Indian in the depth of 

 his virgin forests along the shores of these endless rivers ? 

 No one, if it be not the ' regatao,' less barbarous certain- 

 ly than he, but much more corrupt ; who spies upon him, 

 depraves and dishonors him, under the pretext of trading." 

 After our visit to the church, the whole population, men, 

 women, and children, accompanied us down to the beach 

 to receive their presents, distributed by the President in 

 person : common jewelry, which they appreciate highly, 

 calico dresses, beads, scissors, needles, and looking-glasses 

 for the women ; knives, fish-hooks, hatchets, and other 

 working tools for the men ; and a variety of little trin- 

 kets and playthings for the children. But though a cor- 

 dial, kindly people, they have the impassiveness of the 



