374 
EXCURSIONS BEYOND EGA. Chap. YL 
territory of the tribe extends to the Moco, an affluent 
of the Japura, with which there is communication by 
land higher up the Tunantins, the two rivers approxi- 
mating within about fifteen miles. From what I saw 
nd heard of the Caishanas, I was led to the conclusion 
that they had no close genealogical relationship with the 
Muras, but were more likely a degraded section of the 
Shumana, or some other neighbouring tribe. Scarcely 
any of them had the coarse features, the large trunk, 
broad chest, thick arms, and protuberant abdomen of 
the Muras, and their features, although presenting a 
wild, unsteady, and distrustful expression like the Muras, 
were often as finely shaped as those of the Shumanas 
and Passes. Senhor Bitancourt told me their " girio," or 
tribal language, had much resemblance to that of the 
Shumanas. I have before shown how scattered hordes 
have segregrated from their original tribes, and by long 
isolation, themselves become tribes, acquiring totally 
different languages, habits, and, to a lesser extent, 
different corporeal structure. 
My first and only visit to a Caishana dwelling, was 
accidental. One day, having extended my walk further 
than usual, and followed one of the forest-roads until 
it became a mere picada, or hunters' track, I came 
suddenly upon a well-trodden pathway, bordered on 
each side with Lycopodia of the most elegant shapes, the 
tips of the fronds stretching almost like tendrils down the 
little earthy slopes which formed the edge of the path. 
The road, though smooth, was narrow and dark, and in 
many places blocked up by trunks of felled trees, which 
had been apparently thrown across by the timid Indians 
