up vertically in the air.)]

When we resumed our journey four more islets were visible and a barrier
of rock from north-west to south-east again stretching right across the
stream. Just beyond lay Romola Island, 1,200 m. long and equally broad.
At the end of the island we found a channel 100 m. wide, separating it
from two neighbours on the east; in fact, much to my dismay, we found
ourselves in a regular maze of islands and rocks, and my time was fully
employed keeping an account of and measuring them.

A crescent-shaped island--Urania Island--1,000 m. in length, with most
wonderful vegetation upon it, was now on our left. That region was
extraordinarily rich in rubber. The channel which we had followed was
strewn all over with rocks. Another island, 400 m. long--Caterina
Island--followed. The current in the Arinos-Juruena River had a speed of
80 m. a minute. The river in places where no islands lay had a width of
200 m. The water was most beautifully clear, of a lovely emerald green,
with a wonderful white sand bottom clearly visible although the river had
considerable depth in many places. Yet another island, 600 m. long--Una
Island--came in sight to the right of us; then another between two
companions, forming almost a circle round the central isle. The river now
formed a basin not less than 800 m. wide with innumerable rocks at the
entrance. We went on kilometre after kilometre, spending our time in
avoiding unpleasant rocks, when again we came first to fairly strong
rapids, then to an extremely dangerous rapid, which we shot, as we were
carried away into it before we had time to realize where we were. We had
the greatest difficulty in extricating ourselves from the many terrifying
whirlpools at the end of the rapid, in a great basin 900 m. wide. We
found a most beautiful halting place on a natural terrace of volcanic
rock some 20 ft. above the river, with a dome of rock in the centre.

I met signs of Indians close to the river. Evidently a tribe had once
halted there, but apparently many years before our arrival. I discovered
their fireplaces, several carved pieces of wood, and some fragments of
rudimentary pottery in the neighbourhood of this picturesque spot. In
exploring round the place I also found some almost entirely obliterated
indications of several ancient trails which had been made by the Indians
in the forest.

Looking toward bearings magnetic 340 deg., and also in the opposite direction
to the south