396 



A JOUENEY IN BRAZIL. 



taken in time, and the statistics of the disease show that, 

 where there are good physicians, it is found to be gradually 

 disappearing. 



We must not leave Para without alluding to our evening 

 concerts from the adjoining woods and swamps. When I first 

 heard this strange confusion of sounds, I thought it came 

 from a crowd of men shouting loudly, though at a little dis- 

 tance. To my surprise, I found that the rioters were the 

 frogs and toads in the neighborhood. I hardly know how to 

 describe this Babel of woodland noises ; and if I could do it 

 justice, I am afraid my account would hardly be believed. 

 At moments it seems like the barking of dogs, then like the 

 calling of many voices on different keys, but all loud, rapid, 

 excited, full of emphasis and variety. I think these frogs, 

 like ours, must be silent at certain seasons of the year ; for, 

 on our first visit to Par4, we were not struck by this singu- 

 lar music, with which the woods now resound at nightfall. 



Note. — Before leaving the Amazops, I wish to acknowledge attentions 

 received from several friends, whose names do not appear in the narrative. 



To Senhor Danin, Chef de Police at Para, I was indebted for valuable In- 

 dian curiosities, and for specimens of other kinds ; to Doctor Malcher for a 

 collection of birds ; to Senhor Penna for important additions to my collection 

 of fishes ; to Senhor Laitad da Cunha for aid in collecting, and for many intro- 

 ductions to persons of influence along our route ; and to Mr. Kaulfuss, a Ger- 

 man resident at Para, for fossils from the Andes. 



I have to thank Mr. James Bond, United States Consul at Para, for unwea- 

 ried efforts in my behalf during the whole time of my stay in the Amazons. He 

 supplied me with alcohol ; received the collections on their arrival at Para ; ex- 

 amined the cases and barrels, causing those which were defective to be repaired, 

 that they might reach their destination in safety, and finally despatched them to 

 the United States, free of charge, on board sailing-vessels in which he had an 

 interest. We owe it in great degree to him that our immense Amazonian col- 

 lections arrived in Cambridge in good condition, suffering little loss or injury 

 in the process of transportation. — L. A. 



