200 
TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. 
[^September, 
all the way up. Pish were now more plentiful than in the 
lower part of the river, and several species occurred, not 
found below. Senhor L. often sent two men in a small 
canoe, to fish early in the morning, and they would by ten 
o’clock generally come up with sufficient for our break- 
fast and supper. I began now to take a great interest 
in the beauty and variety of the species, and, whenever I 
could, made accurate drawings and descriptions of them. 
Many are of a most excellent flavour, surpassing any- 
thing I have tasted in England, either from the fresh or 
the salt waters ; and many species have real fat, which 
renders the water they are boiled in a rich and agreeable 
broth. Not a drop of this is wasted, but, with a little 
pepper and farinha, is all consumed, with as much relish 
as if it were the most delicate soup. Our tolda was 
pretty hot during the day, generally being from 95° to 
100° inside. Early in the morning the temperature was 
about 75°, the water at the same time being 85° and - 
feeling quite warm^ at noon or in the afternoon the 
water would be about 86°, and then feel delightfully , 
cool from its contrast with the heated air. 
We had altogether very fine weather ; but every after- | 
noon, or at least four or five times in a week, we had a 
‘"trovoado,” or storm, which came on suddenly, with 
violent gusts of wind, and often thunder and rain, but 
passed over in about an hour or two, leaving the atmo- ^ 
sphere beautifully mild and clear. A great luxury of 
this river is the absence of mosquitoes. Sunset, instead ^ s 
of being the signal for discomfort and annoyance, brought^| 
us the pleasantest part of the day. We could sit on the'| 
top of the tolda, enjoying the cool evening breeze, an 
