d species are found near Para.
Some live only in the gloom of the forest. Often, however, they are
the most beautiful, being more brightly coloured and delicate in
construction than the others. Many delight to flit over the igarapes
and calm pools.

Among these, the Chalcopteryx rutilans has four wings, each
transparent,--while the hind-wings, of a dark colour, glitter with a
violet and golden effulgence. They all wage unceasing war against the
day-flying insects. When one is captured, the dragon-fly retires to a
tree, and there, seated on a branch, devours the body at its leisure.
It is wonderful the number of flies which these beautiful insects
destroy. When evening comes on they eagerly fly off to the chase, amid
the swamps and around the tree-tops, or wherever their victims
congregate.

PART THREE, CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

WONDERS OF THE FOREST.

Of the palms alone, upwards of a hundred species are found in these
forests. These supply the Indian with nearly all he wants to support
existence. Their fruit, or pith, or crowns, furnish him with an
abundance of food. He builds his hut and floors it with their wood, and
thatches it with their leaves. From the trunks of some species he forms
his canoes, of different sizes. He obtains from them oil, cord, thread,
wine--or a beverage which answers the purpose--wax, mats, baskets,
arrows for his sumpitan or bow, and numberless other articles. Pure,
clear oils are made from some of the nuts and palm fruits; while many
palms yield a fibrous material admirably suited for cordage, being
singularly elastic and resistant.

From the curious candella-tree,--called by the Spaniards _arbol de la
manteca_, by the Indians _cuajo_,--he obtains tallow for candles and
excellent oil for lamps, and a beverage which is made from its fruit.

The cow-tree supplies a milk in appearance like that of the animal from
which it takes its name, but thicker. On analysing this product, it is
found to consist of water, animal milk, and wax as pure as that obtained
from bees. By dipping cotton in the liquid, too, candles can be made.

In the hotter regions grows the bajuco d'agua, which supplies the place
of wells and fountains,--each yard of it affording a pint of water.
High up on the mountainside, in the regions of icy wastes, called the
paramos, grows the frailejou, which yields a pure turpentine, and
assists to warm the human body. Of the palms, a few only can be
described. There