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largest - of which are four feet deep, and eighteen 

 inches wide. These funnels contain quartz, 

 pebbles, and appear to be formed by the friction 

 of masses rolled along, and subjected to the im- 

 pulse of the waters. Our situation, in the midst 

 of the cataract, was singular enough, though 

 without presenting the smallest danger. The 

 missionary, who accompanied us, had his fever 

 fit on him. In order to quench the thirst by 

 which he was tormented, the idea suggested 

 itself to us of preparing a refreshing beverage for 

 him in one of the excavations of the rock. We 

 had taken in at Atures a mapire* filled with 

 sugar, limes, and those grenadillas, or fruits of 

 the passion-flower, called parchas by the Spa- 

 niards. As we were absolutely destitute of large 

 vessels, to contain and mix liquids, we poured, 

 by means of a tutuma (fruit of crescentia cujete, 

 calabash), the water of the river into one of the 

 holes of the rock. To this we added sugar, and 

 the juice of acid fruits. In a few minutes we 

 had an excellent beverage, which was almost a 

 refinement of luxury in that wild spot ; but the 

 sensation of our wants rendered us every day 

 more industrious. 



Having quenched our thirst, we felt a great 

 desire to bathe. On examining attentively the 

 narrow and rocky dike, on which we were sta- 



vol. v. 



* Indian basket, 

 K 



