The Naturalist on the River Amazons
by Henry Walter Bates

Title The Naturalist on the Amazons

CONTENTS

Chapter I

PARÁ

Arrival — Aspect of the Country — The Pará River — First Walk in the Suburbs of Pará — Birds, Lizards, and Insects of the Suburbs — Leaf-carrying Ant — Sketch of the Climate, History, and present Condition of Pará.

Chapter II

PARÁ

The Swampy Forests of Pará — A Portuguese Landed Proprietor — Country House at Nazareth — Life of a Naturalist under the Equator — The drier Virgin Forests — Magoary — Retired Creeks — Aborigines.

Chapter III

PARÁ

Religious Holidays — Marmoset Monkeys — Serpents — Insects.

Chapter IV

THE TOCANTINS AND CAMETÁ

Preparations for the Journey — The Bay of Goajará — Grove of Fan-leaved Palms — The lower Tocantins — Sketch of the River — Vista Alegre — Baiao — Rapids — Boat Journey to the Guariba Falls — Native Life on the Tocantins — Second Journey to Cametá.

Chapter V

CARIPÍ AND THE BAY OF MARAJÓ

River Pará and Bay of Marajó — Journey to Caripí — Negro Observance of Christmas — A German Family — Bats — Ant-eaters — Humming-birds — Excursion to the Murucupi — Domestic Life of the Inhabitants — Hunting Excursion with Indians — White Ants.

Chapter VI

THE LOWER AMAZONS — PARÁ TO OBYDOS

Modes of Travelling on the Amazons — Historical Sketch of the Early Explorations of the River — Preparations for Voyage — Life on Board a large Trading Vessel — The narrow Channels joining the Pará to the Amazons — First Sight of the Great River — Gurupá — The Great Shoal — Flat-topped Mountains — Santarem — Obydos.

Chapter VII

THE LOWER AMAZONS — OBYDOS TO MANAOS, OR THE BARRA OF THE RIO NEGRO

Departure from Obydos — River Banks and By-channels — Cacao Planters — Daily Life on Board our Vessel — Great Storm — Sand-island and its Birds — Hill of Parentins — Negro Trader and Mauhes Indians — Villa Nova, its Inhabitants, Forest, and Animal Productions — Cararaucú — A Rustic Festival — Lake of Cararaucú — Motuca Flies — Serpa — Christmas Holidays — River Madeira — A Mameluco Farmer — Mura Indians — Rio Negro — Description of Barra — Descent to Pará — Yellow Fever.

Chapter VIII

SANTAREM

Situation of Santarem — Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants — Climate — Grassy Campos and Woods — Excursions to Mapirí, Mahicá, and Irurá, with Sketches of their Natural History; Palms, Wild Fruit-trees, Mining Wasps, Mason Wasps, Bees, and Sloths.

Chapter IX

VOYAGE UP THE TAPAJOS

Preparations for Voyage — First Day's Sail — Loss of Boat — Altar do Chao — Modes of obtaining Fish — Difficulties with Crew — Arrival at Aveyros — Excursions in the Neighbourhood — White Cebus, and Habits and Dispositions of Cebi Monkeys — Tame Parrot — Missionary Settlement — Entering the River Cuparí — Adventure with Anaconda — Smoke-dried Monkey — Boa-constrictor — Village of Mundurucu