27 
jR. Schomburgk^ Dr. Phil. 
thirst. At last we discovered on the horizon in dazzling 
movement a row of trees — they were the wooded banks of 
the Pirara. Every nerve was strained to escape from the 
tormenting state we were in, and to strengthen our tired 
limbs in the shade of the trees. About sundown we reached 
the longed-for El Dorado, where we could satisfy our ardent 
desire for rest under the umbrageous trees, and with it 
the mouth of the Pirara, where it enters into the River 
Mahu. 
Many of the stragglers did not arrive until late at night ; 
the remainder, mostly Europeans and negroes, did not even 
arrive until next morning. We had travelled about thirty 
miles, a march, with the thermometer showing 115-130° 
Eahr. in a treeless savanna, not so inconsiderable as it 
appears. 
At a small distance from the mouth of the river, near the 
bank of the Pirara, we found a gigantic Maran-tree, Copaifera 
Jacquini, Desf., which showed on its large trunk by old and 
fresh marks how often the balsam of the tree had been 
gathered, the entire absence of underwood proving that this 
spot had been used as a camping place, and it served us for 
the same purpose. 
To collect the balsam of the Copaifera the Indians make a 
half round excavation in the lower part of the trunk, which 
extends to the heart of the tree. In certain months, especially 
in February and March, the resinous juice flows in large 
quantity and fills the excavation, which from time to time is 
emptied. We found the hollows full of the balsam, and 
great numbers of wasps and bees collected around it, who no 
doubt use the balsam as a cement for their nests. Except for 
wounds and for the purpose of anointing their body and hair 
the Indians do not use it for any other purpose. The de- 
vasting disease for which it is generally used being entirely 
unknown to the Indians. They collect it because it forms 
an article of barter very much sought for by the Brazilians, 
and- is collected without much trouble. 
From here we continued our journey in three boats up the 
rivers Mahu, Murumu, and Continga, and after three weeks 
struggle against numerous cataracts, the impediments in the 
Cotinga increasing daily stopped our further navigation, and 
we were obliged to abandon the boats and continue our 
journey on foot across the savanna. 
Ascertaining from our guides that about six miles from our 
