DOWN THE AMAZONS. 



365 



The prettiest of all these forest sitios was one at the bot- 

 tom of a deep dell, reached by a steep, winding path through 

 a magnificent wood abounding in palms. But though the 

 situation was most picturesque, the sickly appearance of the 

 children and the accounts of prevailing illness showed that 

 the locality was. too low and damp to be healthful. After a 

 very pleasant ramble we returned to breakfast at our first 

 resting-place, and at about one o'clock started for town in 

 two ox-carts which had come out to meet us. They consist 

 only of a floor set on very heavy, creaking wooden wheels, 

 which, from their primitive, clumsy character, would seem 

 to be the first wheels ever invented. On the floor a straw- 

 mat was spread, an awning was stretched over a light 

 scaffolding above, and we were soon stowed away in our 

 primitive vehicle, and had a very gay and pleasant ride back 

 to town. Yesterday evening Mr. Agassiz returned from his 

 excursion to the Serra Erer^. I add here a little account 

 of the journey, written out from his notes, and containing 

 some remarks on the general aspect of the country, its vege- 

 tation and animals. A summary of the geological results 

 of the excursion will be found in a separate chapter at the 

 close of our Amazonian journey. 



" I started before daylight ; but as the dawn began to 

 redden the sky large flocks of ducks, and of the small 

 Amazonian goose, might be seen flying towards the lakes, 

 Here and there a cormorant sat alone on the branch of a 

 dead tree, or a kingfisher poised himself over the water, 

 watching for his prey. Numerous gulls were gathered 

 in large companies on the trees along the river-shore ; 

 alligators lay on its surface, diving with a sudden plash 

 at the approach of our canoe ; and occasionally a porpoise 

 emerged from tlie water, showing himself for a moment 



