32 



RESIDENCE AT RIO DE JANEIRO. 



savage tribes. The former, when the Europeans first visited this 

 country, inhabited the sea-coast alone : they M^ere divided into several 

 tribes ; but differed very little from each other in language, manners, 

 and customs. It was usual among them to fatten their prisoners, 

 and to kill them at a feast with the club called Tacape, or Iwura 

 Pemme, which was ornamented with party-coloured feathers, after 

 which the victims thus slain were devoured. The natives consist of 

 above twelve different tribes. 



Of their language, which, owing to its being common to all the 

 people on the coast, was called the Lingoa geral, or matriz, general 

 language, the Jesuits, especially Anchieta, have left us a very com- 

 plete grammar. Though all these Indians are now civilised, and 

 speak Portuguese, they however still understand some words of it, and 

 many of their old men even converse in it pretty fluently : but the 

 habit of speaking the aboriginal dialect is greatly on the decline. All 

 the names of animals, plants, rivers. Sec. mentioned in travels in Brazil, 

 are remnants of this language. As it was spoken from St. Paolo to 

 Para, along the coast, we find the denominations usual in it chiefly of 

 animals, particularly in Marcgraf 's Natural History. However, it has 

 often happened that many errors have been occasioned by the intro- 

 duction of such provincial denominations into the systems ; for though 

 in general, the same names prevail for a considerable extent along the 

 coast, yet great variations occur, as will appear in the sequel of this 

 narrative. The following are some specimens of words and names 

 from this language : JaiiaretS, the jaguar; Tamaiidua, the ant-eater; 

 Pecari, the swine ; TapurHe^ the tapir ; Cuia^, the calabash ; Tapyyia, 



* These Cuias are pieces cut from the rind of a certain kind of gourd, which, when emptied 

 and cleaned, make good light dishes, as also bowls, to eat and drink out of. If the hollowed 

 gourd is whole, and serves as a bottle, the vessel is called Cabala. This custom, as well as 

 the word Cuia, springs from the general language, and was adopted by the Europeans in 

 Brazil. 



