CHAPTER VI.

SANTAREM AND MONTEALEGRE.

Leave Pará--Enter the Amazon--Its peculiar features--Arrive at Santarem--The town and its inhabitants--Voyage to Montealegre--Mosquito plague and its remedy--Journey to the Serras--A cattle estate--Rocks, picture writings, and cave--The _Victoria regia_--Mandiocca fields--A festa--Return to Santarem--Beautiful insects--Curious tidal phenomenon--Leave Santarem--Obydos--Villa Nova--A kind priest--Serpa--Christmas Day on the Amazon 92