486 



The three encampments formed by the Indians 

 in the places indicated above begin about the 

 end of March or commencement of April. The 

 gathering of the eggs is conducted in a uniform 

 manner, and with that regularity, which charac- 

 terizes all monastic institutions. Before the ar- 

 rival of the missionaries on the banks of the 

 river, the Indians profited much less from a 

 production, which nature has there deposited in 

 such abundance. Every tribe searched the 

 beach in it's own way ; and an immense num- 

 ber of eggs were uselessly broken, because they 

 were not dug with precaution, and more eggs 

 were uncovered than could be carried away. 

 It was like a mine worked by unskilful hands. 

 The Jesuits have the merit of having reduced 

 this operation to regularity; and though the 

 monks of St. Francis, who have succeeded the 

 Jesuits in the missions of the Oroonoko, boast of 

 having followed the example of their predeces- 

 sors, they unhappily do not effect all that pru- 

 dence requires. The Jesuits did not suffer the 

 whole beach to be searched ; they left a part 

 intact, from the fear of seeing the breed of arrau 

 tortoises, if not destroyed, at least considerably 

 diminished. The whole beach is now dug up 

 without reserve ; and accordingly it seems to 

 be perceived that the gathering is less productive 

 from year to year. 



When the camp is formed, the missionary of 



