94 
THK AMAZON AND MADEIRA RIVERS. 
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steamers, haroly sutRce to supply the wants of the little to^vns, sneh 
as Manaos, Santarem, etc.* Otlua’ of our domestic animals also, such 
as pigs, goats and sheep, arc very rarely found near the hots of tln^ 
riverines, though the first would thrive cxceUcntly. A mimbcn- of 
cackling hens, and perhaps a few ducks, arc their only live stock ; as they 
give no trouble whatever, and find abundant food on the soft earth, and 
in the roots and fallen leaves near the cottages. 
The marvellous bounty of nature, on the one hand, and the iraiate 
disposition, confii’med by habit, to do as their fathers have done before 
them, on the other, will sutflciently explain why Indians and mestizoes so 
* The jiopulatiou of tlie Brazilian coast, living on fresh and dried fish all the year 
round, go to the nearest town regularly on Easter Sunday to buy a piece of beef ; for 
once a year, they say, ono must have moat. 
