40 TRAVELS ON THE AMAZON. 
stream, though but an insignificant tributary of the 
Amazon, was wider than the Thames. The banks were 
everywhere clothed with a dense forest. In places were 
numerous mangroves, their roots descending from the 
branches into the water, having a curious appearance ; 
on some we saw the fruit germinating on the tree, send- 
ing out a shoot which would descend to the water, and 
form another root to the parent. Behind these rose large 
forest-trees, mingled with the Assai, Miriti, and other 
palms, while passion-flowers and convolvuluses hung 
their festoons to the water’s edge. 
As we advanced the river became narrower, and about 
seven o’clock we landed, to stretch our cramped limbs, at 
a sitio, where there was a tree covered with the hanging 
nests of the yellow troupial, with numbers of the birds 
continually flying in and out. In an hour more we passed 
Larangeiras, a pretty spot, where there are a few huts, 
and the residence of Senhor C., the Commandante of the 
district. Further on we turned into a narrow igarip^ 
which wound about in the forest for a mile or two, when 
a sudden turn at length brought us the welcome sight of 
the mills. Here a hearty welcome from Mr. Leavens, 
and a good breakfast, quite compensated for our four 
hours’ cramping in the montaria, and prepared us for an 
exploring expedition among the woods, paths, and lakes 
in the vicinity. 
Our daily routine during our stay at the mills was as 
follows : — We rose at half-past five, when whoever pleased 
took a bath at the mill-stream. We then started, gene- 
rally with our guns, into the forest, as early in the morn- 
ing is the best time for shooting, and Mr. Leavens often 
