242 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
Visit to As Lages 
I have very lately returned from the mouth of 
the Rio Negro, where is a little hamlet called As 
Lages, about two long Portuguese leagues (or 
eight English miles) below the Barra, inhabited 
entirely by Indians and half-Indians. I visited this 
place (which has proved a rich botanical station) for 
a few days in May, and I met there with a carpenter 
whom I engaged to construct the cabin of my canoe. 
For this purpose I took her down to the Lages 
about the end of July and remained there about a 
fortnight, superintending the shipbuilding and also 
adding largely to my collection of plants. I much 
enjoy living among the Indians for a few days 
together, though I might tire of it were the resi- 
dence compulsory and permanent. It is such a 
relief to get out of the town ; for these Brazilians, 
half-savages as you undoubtedly picture them, are 
the greatest sticklers for etiquette and costume on 
the face of the earth. It is ridiculous seeing them 
going to Mass in the " latest Parisian costume " — 
toiling under the weight of black coats and hats, 
things which in this climate are a complete abomina- 
tion. Contrasted with this, the laissez-aller of the 
Lages was delightful. Fancy me there with no 
other vestments than a light flannel or cotton jacket 
and a pair of pantaloons — no shirt (consequently 
no coat or waistcoat), no hat, no shoes or stockings. 
Even thus I was more completely clad than most 
of the males, who rarely wore anything beyond 
trousers. The dress of the women consisted of 
but two articles— the camisa, descending below the 
