FROM MANAoS to TARAPOTO 21 
that constantly rose from it. The cHff itself was 
draped with a curtain of twiners which I had not 
time to penetrate. The water was quite clear and 
destitute of taste or smell, but so hot at 20 
feet from the source that I could not bear my 
finger in it. 
About noon we entered a long narrow channel 
between loftier rocks and steeper hills above them, 
where the currents and whirlpools gave us some 
trouble. At its upper entrance stands a steep 
cerro where the rock is only partially clad with 
vegetation, and is stained in bare places with 
blotches of red or dull purple. It is called Uamar- 
uassi or Eagle's house, from having been once the 
habitation of an immense eagle which guarded the 
pass, and the purple patches are blood-stains — the 
blood being of those who were so rash as to 
attempt the pass in its guardian's despite. The 
scenery throughout this pongo is beautiful, though 
the enclosing mountains do not exceed 500 to 800 
feet in height. The strata are sometimes almost 
vertical, and are then partially naked, the scanty 
vegetation being upheld (as I have noticed in other 
places) by masses of Bromeliaceous plants. 
The next mal paso is called " Arpa," because 
just above it there is a rock supposed to resemble a 
harp. The current round the rocky point was so 
strong that the canoes had to be dragged along by 
stout creepers. Afterwards we came to grey 
friable rock in very thin layers, and this was 
succeeded by a slaty-looking dark rock, and then 
the friable grey rock again appeared. These shales 
are all Triassic, and produce salt. Two other 
rapids of less importance were passed before dark. 
