MILK TREES 
boulders of a more rounded shape. The foliation showed 
a dip westward of 45°. 
We were delighted when we discovered in that region 
many solveira or sorveira trees, or milk trees, exuding, 
when incised, milk most delicious to drink. Then there 
were plenty of figueiras or gameilleiras and wild bananas. 
We wasted much time extracting milk from the solveiras 
and eating wild fruit. 
Monkeys were to be seen in that part. They seemed 
most astonished on perceiving us, and came quite close, 
gazing at us in the most inquisitive manner. 
We felt that we had come to a real heaven on earth, 
except for the river, which could have given points to the 
river Styx of infernal fame. 
When we returned to the canoe we found obstructions 
of all kinds in the stream. Small rapid succeeded small 
rapid. Rocky islets and scattered rocks rendered naviga¬ 
tion complicated. 
Where the river turned sharply to the north-northeast 
another dangerous rapid was reached, with rocks scattered 
all over the channel, some just submerged. We tried to 
shoot that rapid on the east side, but we got badly stuck 
on a submerged rock, and once more the canoe filled with 
water. It took us the best part of an hour to extricate 
ourselves from our uncomfortable position. 
A beautiful island, 400 metres long and 200 metres 
wide, Maria Island, was then reached. It had a long spur 
of white sand at its southeasterly end, and pretty vege¬ 
tation upon it. Strange domes of rock were near by, one 
particular dome of great size showing a spit of white sand 
seventy metres long, on its northwesterly side. Many 
other islets of rock rose above the water along the bank of 
the larger island, while rapids of some magnitude existed 
at the end of the island. 
We hardly ever came to a stretch of placid water. 
No sooner had we left the last rapid than, the river turning 
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