cannot
make their way. Not only fish, but turtles find their way into these
weirs, and sometimes electric eels--as also those dreaded fish, the
piranhas. The Indian gets the fish out by diving into the weir armed
with a small hand-net, and sometimes with a knife. He first endeavours,
however, to learn whether any of his foes are within, and gets them out
first. Another kind of weir is formed on a still larger scale,
generally beneath cataracts or waterfalls. It is similar to the
eel-traps sometimes used at mills. As the water pours into it, the fish
are often caught in great numbers. These traps, however, require a
considerable amount of ingenuity and a great exertion of strength for
their construction, as large timbers must be used, to withstand the
strength of the current.

CANOES.

Most of the tribes make their canoes out of single trees, which they
hollow and expand by means of a fire placed beneath them, gradually
inserting wedges and cross-pieces. It is first reared on trestles, with
a slit downwards over the fire--which is kept up for seven or eight
hours. The process requires great and constant attention, to avoid
cracks, and make the canoe bend with the proper dip at the two ends.
Additional planks are often secured to the sides, while the stem and
stern are formed of semicircular boards pegged on to the ends of the
trunk. The seams are then caulked with gum. The paddles have oval
blades, and are about three feet in length, cut out of single pieces.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

A somewhat complicated musical instrument, consisting of twelve pipes or
trumpets, made of bamboos fastened together, with trumpet-shaped
mouthpieces of bark, is used by one tribe of Indians. The sounds are
not disagreeable, resembling somewhat clarionets and bassoons. No
woman, however, is allowed to see them; and as soon as they are brought
out, all the females hurry off to hide themselves. Should any one
attempt to observe the mysterious instrument, she is immediately put to
death,--generally by poison. A father or a husband would not hesitate
on such an occasion to sacrifice his daughter or wife.

The Indians of the Uapes manufacture with great neatness a variety of
articles, such as fine hammocks, baskets, and gourds--which they paint
with elegant devices; also earthenware water-pitchers and pans for
cooking, and clay ovens. They also show skill in making several musical
instruments--like fifes and whistles, as also