476 
CHAPTEE XVII, 
ON THE ABOEIGINES OE THE AMAZON, 
Comparing the accounts given by other travellers with 
my own observationSj the Indians of the Amazon valley 
appear to be much superior, both physically and intel- 
lectually, to those of South Brazil and of most other 
parts of South America ; they more closely resemble 
the intelligent and noble races inhabiting the western 
prairies of North America. This view is confirmed by 
Prince Adalbert of Prussia, who first saw the uncivilized 
Indians of South Brazil, and afterwards those of the 
Amazon ; and records his surprise and admiration at the 
vast superiority of the latter in strength and beauty of 
body, and in gentleness of disposition. 
I have myself had opportunities of observing the 
Aborigines of the interior, in places where they retain 
all their native customs and peculiarities. These truly 
uncivilized Indians are seen by few travellers, and can 
only be found by going far beyond the dwellings of white 
men, and out of the ordinary track of trade. In the 
neighbourhood of civilization the Indian loses many 
