516 
ON THE ABORIGINES 
a sheep, and talked much to each other, apparently inti- 
mating that he was fat, and would be excellent eating. 
Of the Jamamaris we have no authentic information, 
but that they much resemble the last in their manners 
and customs, and in their appearance. 
The Jubiris are equally unknown ; they however most 
resemble the Purupurus in their habits and mode of life, 
and, like them, have their bodies spotted and mottled, 
though not to such a great extent. 
In the country between the Tapajoz and the Madeira, 
among the labyrinth of lakes and channels of the great 
island of the Tupinambaranos, reside the Mundrucus, the 
most warlike Indians of the Amazon. These are, I be- 
lieve, the only perfectly tattooed nation in South America*, 
the markings are extended all over the body ; they are 
produced by pricking with the spines of the pupunha 
palm, and rubbing in the soot from burning pitch to 
produce the indelible bluish tinge. 
They make their houses with mud walls, in regular 
villages. In each village they have a large building which 
serves as a kind of barrack, or fortress, where all the men 
sleep at night, armed with their bows and arrows, ready 
in case of alarm *. this house is surrounded within with 
dried heads of their enemies : these heads they smoke 
and dry, so as to preserve all the features and the hair 
most perfectly. They make war every year with an ad- 
joining tribe, the Parentintins, taking the women and 
children for slaves, and preserving the heads of the men. 
They make good canoes and hammocks. They live prin- 
cipally on forest-game, and are very agricultural, making 
quantities of farinha and growing many fruits. The men 
