Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v1.djvu/190

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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 Murucupí—Domestic Life of the Inhabitants—Hunting Excursion with Indians—Natural History of the Paca and Cutia—Insects.


That part of the Pará river which lies in front of the city, as I have already explained, forms a narrow channel; being separated from the main waters of the estuary by a cluster of islands. This channel is about two miles broad, and constitutes part of the minor estuary of Goajará, into which the three rivers Guamá, Mojú, and Acará discharge their waters. The main channel of the Pará lies 10 miles away from the city, directly across the river; at that point, after getting clear of the islands, a great expanse of water is beheld, 10 to 12 miles in width; the opposite shore—the island of Marajó—being visible only in clear weather as a line of tree tops dotting the horizon. A little further upwards, that is to the south-west, the main land on the right or eastern shore appears, this is called Carnapijó; it is rocky, covered with the never-ending forest, and the coast which is fringed with broad sandy