HUNTING ANH FISHING IN THE PROVINCE OF AMAZON. 
97 
S]y innlutto ami Iiidiau women tell their cretUilous husbands Avondrous 
stories of the adventures they have had AA’ith the treacherous botos, 
wliich took the shape of theii’ absent spouses so complotclj'' that the 
poor victims only discovered their mistake when the pseudo-husbands 
took theu' Avay to the river and sprang into it Avith a loud snort. In 
consequence of this Avidely-spread superstition, the dolphins are very rarely 
linnted, though it is so easy to harpoon them, and though they yield 
an excellent train-oil. They multiply, therefore, Avithiu the boundaries 
assigned by nature. 
Another fabulous aquatic monster, in all likelihood a near relation 
TltE PIl!A.-ltTIcif (STJUIS GIGAs). 
of our celebrated sea-serpent, is the so-calhid minhoeao (big Avorm), a 
snake of such immense size that the riveriues assert with all seriousness 
that the river rises or falls as the monster either enters or leaves 
it. It is also culled mai d’agua (mother of Avaters), Avliich name it 
shai-es, tliough, AAutli a sort of Brazilian Lorelei, haunting the picturesque 
fall of the Tai'uma, a little influent of the Bio Ncgio. This beautiful 
maid Avith golden hau- — Avhether she combs it with a golden comb, 
like the German Lorelei, has not yet been ascertained — bcAvitches Avith 
her loveliness any man Avho sets eyes on her. Madness overpoAVors 
his senses, and he is deprived of ability ever to find the Avay back to his 
cottage. Tberefore the narrow glen Avhich the siren has chosen for her 
ii 
I 
