Page:A narrative of travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro.djvu/374

 334 ON THE ABORIGINES

The Lingoa Geral is the Tupi, an Indian language found in the country by the Jesuits, and modified and extended by them for use among all the tribes included in their missions. It is now spread over all the interior of Brazil, and even extends into Peru and Venezuela, as well as Bolivia and Paraguay, and is the general vehicle of communication between the Brazilian traders and the Indians. It is a simple and euphonious language, and is often preferred by Europeans who get thoroughly used to it. I knew a Frenchman who had been twenty years in the Solimoes, who always conversed with his wife and children in Lingoa Geral, and could speak it with more ease than either French or Portuguese; and, in many cases, I have seen Portuguese settlers whose children were unable to speak any other language.

I shall now proceed to give some account of the various tribes that still exist, in all their native integrity, among the trackless forests of the Purvis, Rio Branco, Japura, and the rivers Uaupes and Isanna, near the sources of the Rio Negro.

As I am best acquainted with the Indians of the river Uaupes, I shall first state all I know of them, and then point out the particulars in which other nations differ from them. The tribes which inhabit the Uaupes, as far as any of the traders ascend, and of which I can get any information, are the following : —

Up the main stream.

i. Queianas, at Sao Joaquim.

2. Tarianas, about Sao Jeronymo.

3. Ananas (Pine-apples), below Jauarite.

4. Cobeus, about Caruru caxoeira.

5. Piraiuru (Fish's mouth).

6. Pisa (Net).

7. Carapana (Mosquito), Jurupuri caxoeira.

8. Tapura (Tapir).

9. Uaracii (a Fish), above Jukeira Parana.

10. Cohidias.

11. Tucundera (an Ant).

12. Jacami (Trumpeter). Miriti (Mauritia Palm), Baccate Parana.

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14. Omauas.