CHAPTER XI 
SAN CARLOS AND THE CERROS OF UPPER RIO NEGRO 
{March 8, 1853, November 27, 1853) 
[This chapter consists of extracts from a rather 
detailed Journal, and from letters to his friends in 
England. — Ed.] 
Journal 
1853. — On March 8 left Panure, and after a 
voyage of thirteen days reached Marabitanas at 
9 A.M. on the 2 1 St. There was scarcely anything 
in flower, but a few plants were in fruit ; and the 
vegetation of the Upper Rio Negro appeared very 
similar to that of the Uaupes. Here and there in 
the forest appeared a Japura, its large round head 
completely red with fruits. The water has con- 
siderable admixture of mud, owing no doubt to the 
river filling rapidly, but possibly in part to nearing 
the mouth of the Casiquiari. We here began to be 
visited about sunset, and whilst the moon showed 
any light, by a small black mosquito, nearly silent 
but biting virulently ; fortunately it was not in 
great numbers. 
Marabitanas, Frontier Town of Brazil 
At Marabitanas I saw a tree of Retama {Thevetia neriifolta, 
Juss. ) planted by the Commandant's house. It is an Apocynea, very 
milky, low and widely spreading (20 feet high), the trunk about 
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