126 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
the Bombonasa, but his native place is Quito. 
Canelos, Puca-yacu, and Sara-yacu are all under 
his rule, and he divides his residence equally among 
them. It should be observed that his title is 
Lieutenant-Governor, the Curaca of each pueblo 
being considered its real governor. The labour 
of the Indians is entirely voluntary, nor is there 
any tariff of prices strictly adhered to. In conse- 
quence, the Indians are sufficiently impertinent 
and difficult to treat with. The pueblo of Puca- 
yacu contains some nine men accustomed to carry 
cargoes to the Sierra ; and after more than a 
week's delay, Don Ignacio and Don Victoriano 
have with much difficulty persuaded five of these 
to accompany them ; the rest excuse themselves 
from pretended sickness or some other motive, so 
that I, who need seven cargueros, am still waiting 
to see if I can induce the Indians of Sara-yacu to 
accompany me, as they are much more numerous 
than those of Puca-yacu. The Indians of Canelos 
are away at their tambos on the Rutuno, etc., with 
licence of absence for three months, which does 
not expire till June 20. 
Don Gabicho (as he is familiarly called) presented 
himself to us with shirt outside trousers (Amazon 
fashion), so that it stood for jacket as well, and his 
head adorned with a broad-brimmed hat of tamshe, 
similar to those woven by the Indians of Maynas 
of the same material ; well ventilated but affording 
no protection against rain ; so, to render it water- 
proof, he had stuck it all over with the feathers of 
small birds, the points all directed to the brim. 
I have rarely seen a gayer or stranger head-gear. 
