h
the sextant and artificial horizon, in order to define the latitude and
longitude with greater accuracy. We were then in lat. 11 deg. 38'.4 S.; long.
57 deg. 35' W.

Gorgeous _gamelleira_ or _figueira_ trees (_ficus_) were to be seen on
that island, standing high up upon arches formed by vigorous roots. In a
way the lower part of those _figueiras_ resembled a huge octopus, the
branches being extremely contorted as they clung to the ground in order
to support the weight of the giant tree of which they made part. One
could easily walk under the tree among the roots and still have six or
eight feet of space left above one's head.

As I went round to explore the island while my men were cooking the
dinner, I discovered a small lake in the centre of the island--a most
poetic spot, with its neat, delightful vegetation all round it reflected
as in a mirror in the golden waters which reproduced in a deeper tone the
rich sunset tints of the sky above. I sat myself down to look at the
beautiful scene. The poetry vanished at once. There were millions of ants
which swarmed all over me the moment I sat down upon the ground, and bit
me with such fury that I had to remove my clothes in the greatest haste
and jump into the water. That raised a cloud of mosquitoes, which made it
most uncomfortable for me when I came out again and was busy searching
for ants in my clothes.

My men killed a beautiful long-armed spider monkey. I was sorry, as I had
watched the wonderful jumps of this animal from one tree to another.
Using the impetus of the swing which they could obtain from the immense
length of their arms, as well as the swing of the branch on which they
were hanging, they could fly enormous distances through the air. The span
from hand to hand in proportion to the size of the body was really
amazing.

Luiz Schnoor Island was 450 m. long. Plenty of rubber trees were to be
seen on the right bank of the river after passing this great island,
especially where the river described a large sweeping curve towards the
north-east.

Farther on, close to the right bank, an island 100 m. long and 5 ft.
high, of yellow sand and gravel, showed brilliantly with its vivid
colouring upon the blue waters of the river. For identification' sake I
named it Gravel Island on the map I was making of the river. I seemed to
be in fairyland--but for the company of my men--as I floated down the
stream, there 400 m. wide.

We had gone hardly 4 kil. when we