> ant a carat eon ‘ ‘. Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. University of Illinois Library L161— 0-1096 Oe ce or cater Sa / JHE STATE OF AMAZON, BRAZIL v + WY A BRIEF GENERAL NOTICE 4 AND DESCRIPTIONOFTHE \¥ BEER EEE VARIOUS RESOURCES / OF THE STATE. yw y CHICAGO, Wy 1893. v4 PAA AAD INTRODUCTION. SS Sawn 6 HE AMAZON VALLEY, in which is the Brazilian State of the : same name is the largest and most remarkable in the world, It is in itself alone larger than the united valleys of the Mississippi, Nile and Dantube:—It occupies an area estimated at more than two’ mil lions of square miles. Nature in this valley which extends from the Atlantic to the Andes displays an unrivalled opulence. Its flora is the richest in the world and presents an infinite variety of plants not found in other regions. A faint idea of its products may be formed from a sight of its woods, which the Amazon State presents in the ‘‘ Forestry Building’ at the World’s Columbian Exposition. : Its fauna is not less admirable in the immense variety of its rep- tiles, birds, fish, insects, mamais etc. Wallace, the distinguished natu- ralist, writing on the Amazon, says: ‘‘For richness of Vegetable pro- duction and universal fertility of soil it is unequalled on the globe and offers to our notice a natural region capable of supporting a greater population and supplying it more completely with the necessaries and luxuries of life than any other of equal extent. ”’ The hydrographical system of the Amazon and its affluents is the most extended in the world. Itis calculated that 25,000 miles of its waters are navigable for steamers. The volume of water in the Ama- Zon,.the ** canis ” of Agassiz, is so great that its current is percepti- ble in the Ocean, more than 200 miles from its mouth, and the capacity of its channel is such that the influence of Ocean tides is felt 400 miles from its mouth. Steamers like the Campania can easily navigate in any season to Tabatinga 2000 miles distant from the sea. In the desire of calling general attention to this marvelous region, vast field open to human activity where subsistance is so easy and the means ‘of obtaining wealth numerous we publish this slight notice about the Amazon State. Nee GENERAL DESCRIPTION. The Amazon State is a part of the Republic of the United States of Brazil. It is situated between 5 degrees 10 minutes N. Latitude and 10 de- grees, 3 minutes S. Latitude, and between 13 degrees, 40 miuutes and 32 degrees W. Longitude. Its surface comprises almost two millions of square kilometers. It is bounded on the North by English Guiana and the republics of Venezuela and Columbia; on the South by the Brazilian State of Matto Grosso and the republic of Bolivia, on the Kast by the state of Para; and West by Peru and Ecuador. . RIVERS—It is washed by the Amazon river from Tabatinga to Parintins, and its branches, which are, mentioning only the principal: the Javary, Jutahy, Jurua, Teffe, Coary, Purus, Madeira, Ramos on the right side; the Japura, Ica, Negro, Branco, Jahu on the left. ISLANDS—In all the rivers of the Amazon region are encountered Islands, among the most notable of which are Aramaca, Tupinambar- ana, Veados, Careiro, etc. ‘ BAYS—Notable are Boiassu in the Negro river, Teffe and Coary. LAKES-——There are indeed an infinity of which we will merely mention: Amacu, Nhamunda, Saraca, Amatary, Curiueu, Cumapy, Amaya, Codajaz Tracaja, Elrei, Antaz, Maratary, Murucutaba, Uay- apua. CLIMATE —It is noted for its uniformity; the mean yearly temper- ature being 78 degrees, the thermometer never rising in the shade above 95 degrees nor descending below 60 degrees. Notwithstanding its humidity it is very healthy; as is proven from the testimony of all travellers in this region. Wallace in his work ‘Travels on the Ama- zon and River Negro ”’ says: ‘‘’ The climate of the Amazon valley seems remarkable for uniformity of temperature and for a regular supply of moisture. There are in most parts of it six months wet and six months dry season, neither of which are so severe as in other tropical climates. A more equitable climate probably does not exist on the Barth.’ Here are never noted sudden changes of weather, nor cyelones, nor torna-: en jai Pp 095603 ae does. And notwithstanding the marshy land along the banks of some of the rivers, the rate of mortality is less than twenty-four (24) per thousand annually. ANIMALS—In the Animal Kingdom is found in the Amazonian forests and waters of its rivers a multitude of animals of all species, of which we will merely make mention: In the order of Quadrumans, Monkeys of various species, Guaribas, Cuatas, Bairrgudos, Saguis; Car- niverous animals are the Tiger, Panther, Maracaja; rodents are: the Paca, Cotia, Pacyderms, Anta, Caitetu. RUMINANTS—Deer of various Species, an infinity of others, inclnding Tatus, Coatys, Tamanduas and Sloths. CETACEOUS like the Cow-fish, Boto, Dog-fish. BIRDS: Urubus, Gaviao, Tocans, Parrots, Periquitos, Araras, Maracanas, Mu- tnims, Jacamies, Nambus, Ciganas, Unicorns, Doves, Jacanas, Jaburu, Guara, Marrecas, Gaviots, Macarico, Colibri, Japim, Rouxiuol, Fly- catcher. REPTILES—tTurtles, Tracaja, Jaboty, Ayassa, Jacares, Cama- leoens, Lizard, Serpents, like the Jararaca, Sucuriju, Giboia. FISH—Almost numberless the different species of fish found in the Amazon river. Agassiz stated that he found three times as many species in the Amazon river as in those of all Kurope together. To not fatigue the reader we will quote merely the following: Pirarucu, (one of the largest fish) whose fisheries constitute one of the indus* “es of the country. In the commercial section later on will be founda ze value of its production during the last year. Acaras, Acari, Arraia, Agulha, Bacu, Cascudo, Espadarto, Jaraqui, Mandube, Mandii, Man dube, Mapara, Jundia, Piau, Pirahyba, Pescada, Pirarara, Pirapitinga, Piranha, Poraque, Pacamao, Pacu, Surubim, Sardinha, Tambaqui, Tucunare, Taiuha, Trahira, etc., etc. It would be wearisome to enumerate the multitude of brilliant col- oured Insects, Coleoptera, etc. The extraordinary flora of the Amazon has caused the delight and surprise of scientists and explorers. As it will be impossible in this brief notice to Poumetate all the products of the Amazonian flora we will limit oun ce to the following: Among the woods most used in civil and naval constructions are: Acapu, Cicupira, Itauba, Piquia, Massaranduva, Paoferro, Cedro, Louros, Pao-rainha. For joinery: Genipapo, Ingarana, Jacaranda, Muiracutiara, Murapinima, Muirapi- ranga, Pao-Rosa, Pao-Mulato, Pao-Precioso, Pao-Roxo, Pao-Setim, Cumaru. : ALIMENTARY—Coffee-tree, Cocoa-tree, Rice, Corn, Bread-Fruit, Yams, Mandiocas, Sweet potatoes, Abobras. Amoug the eatabie fruits Pine-Apples, Aligator Pear, Abio, Abrico, Araca, Assahy, Ata, Bacaba, Bacury, Beriba, Burity, Caju, Brazil-Nut, Cidra, Coco, Coubio, Copu- assu, Figs, Guava, Inga, Jaca, Jambo, Orange, Lemou, Mamao, Man- go, Mangaba, Maracuja, Mari-Mari, Musk-Melon, Water-Melon, Mur- gate a uchi, Payura, Patana, Piquia, Pitanga, Pupuuha, Pomegranate, Sap- uti, Sorva, Tamarind, Tapereba, Targerina, Tucuman, Umari, etc. TEXTILE FIBRES—Are numerous, among them we will quote: Tucuman, Piassaba, Mirity, Turury, Imbira, Curaua, etc. DYEING STUFFS—Urucu, Sicanta, Barba-Timao, Pao Campeche, Massaranduba, Brazil-wood, etc. OLEAGINOUS PLANTS—Are Tucum, Caiaue, Bacaba, Jauary, Assai, Mirity, Umiry, Andiroba, Cacao. MEDICINAL PLANTS — Ipecacuanha, Sarsaparilla, Mamona, Sassafras, Abutua, Copahiba, Camary, Murure, Tobacco, Tamaquare, Parica, etc. ‘No other place of the globe is so rich in Medicinal plants, as is that of the Amazon. Among gums and resins are the following which are produced by the Cajueiro, Mangueiro, Amapa, Sucuuba. Wax, Jatoba, Sorveira, Breu, etc. Later on we will treat of the rubber _ tree (Siphonia Elastica) which occupies the first place in Amazonian flora being the object of its principal industry. MINERAL KINGDOM—We may say that the products of the veg- etable kingdom are so important that those of the mineral, that is those hiden under the soil have so far received but little attention. Among those best known are gold, rock crystals, jade, granite, gres of differ- ent specimens, lime-stone, stone-coal, argiles, pumice-stone, etc. HISTORICAL SKETCH. The first navigator of the Amazon was Vincente Janez Pinson, who first saw its waters in 1499. It was first explored in 1540 by Fran- cisco Orellana, who ascended the river and gave to it the name of Aim- azon, on account of a tribe of female warriors, whom he is supposed to have found near the Nhamunda. ‘The present Amazonian state be- came a part of the Portuguese dominion in Brazil under the denomina- tion of the capitancy of the river Negro. In 1822 it became a simple district of Para, being in 1850 elevated to the rank of a Province and its installation effected, first of January 1852. On the tenth of July 1884 the abolition of slavery in this Province was declared. On Noyem- ber 21, 1889, after the revolution, carried into execution the 15th of the same month in Rio de Janeiro, it was proclaimed and recognized as the self governing state of Amazon. . The State is administered by a Governor elected for four years, and who resides in Manaos, the capital of the state. ‘The state is divided into municipalities, administrated by intendants elected by the people. The municipalities are: Manaos, Maues, Bareirinha, Parintins, Urncara, Silves, Itacotiara, St. Paulo de Olivenca, Fonte Boa, Teffe, Coary, Codajaz, Manicore, Borba, Humayta, Moura, Barcellos, Rio Branco, St. Gabriel, Labria, Antimary, Canutama and Jurua. * Judicial Power isvested: First, inthe Superior Tribunal of Justice, — its seat in the capital, and jurisdiction throughout the State. Second, Judicial judges in various districts, to the number of twelve. ‘Third, Municipal Judges. Fourth, A Popular Tribunal, instituted in each boundary in which are divisions of the districts. There are twenty divisions in the state. The Amazon state is represented in Federal Congress by four depu- ties elected for three years, and three senatorslasting from three, six to nine years. ‘The state Congress is composed of twenty-four members elected for the space of four years. This Congress meets annually for the space of three months to legislate over special business of state. Laws are sanctioned by the Governor of the State who orders their publication and execution. ~ sak Ne Public order is maintained by a Chief of Public Security, Perfects and Sub-Perfects, The Security Battalion is composed of 400 men. -RELIGION—Notwithstanding the liberty of religious worship, de- creed on the 7th, of January 1890, the majority of ths population are Catholics. Civil marriage is by the decree of January 24th, 1890, the only legal registry of births and of deaths is obligatory. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION—Public instruction is given at the cost of the state. Instruction is free, and the primary public schools gratu- tious. Public instruction is divided into four classes, viz:—lIst.+ Pri- mary teaching; 2nd. Normal; 3rd. Secondary; 4th. Professional and technical teaching. Primary teaching is given in 98 public schools distributed throughout the state, 22 being for the masculine sex, 21 for the feminine and 55 are mixed schools. Besides there are various pub- lic night schools and many select. Primary teaching is still adminis- tered in the Asylums ‘‘Benjamin Constant’? and the ‘‘ Educators. ”’ Primary teaching consists in: Reading, Writing, National Grammar, Arithmetic, Elements of Geometry, Geography, History of Brazil, Ideas of Science and Lineal drawing. ‘The school hours are from 7 in the morning until 12, from 7th of January until 20th of November. Normal instructions is given in the Higher Normal Institutes, and the programes are the following: I. Portuguese Language. Il. French Language. Ill. Universal Geography. IV. Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry. V. Higher Algebra, Integral Geometry and Sectional, Me- chanics, Astronomy. VI. Universal History. VII. Experimental Physics, and Meteorology, Chemistry and Notions of Mineralogy Geology. VIII. Descriptive Geometry and Perspective. IX. Biology, Notions of Botany, and Zoology. X. Moral and Sociology. XI. Philosophy, Music. Secondary teaching is given in specisl courses, and professional and teshnical in special offices and in the Amazonian Institute. Population of the entire State is calculated from. 250,000, to 300,000 inhabitants. py hee FINANCES. The following table will show the rapid growth of the State Public Revenue since 1852: Financial year, 1852, - - - - Reis 19,000,465. Financial year, 1857 91,972,133. Financial year, 1862, . - - - - 93,347,803. Financial year, 1867-68, - - - - - 274,427,608. Financial year, 1872-73, - - - : - 578,603,307. Financial year, 1877-78, - --..- .- +: 488,970 Financial year, 1882-83, 2 3250244 inane Financial year, 1886-87, - - ' 2,713,686,081. Financial year, 1892-93, - - - - - 6,000,000,000. The last figures are only an estimate. Probably it will be greater, as the production of india-rubber and other articles advances, and the revenue depends on the exportation of thesearticles. Three years ago, the State had a public debt of over Reis 2,000,000,000. It is all paid, and the State Treasury in the month of March of the present year, showed a balance of about Reis 5,000,000,000 IN CASH. In the above figures, we do not include the revenue of the Munici- palities, or IMTENDENCIAS. To give an idea of this, we will only men- tion that of Manaos: | Financial year, 1852, - - - - Reis ~ 1,083,127. Financial year, 1857, - os - - 5,134,304. Pinanclal year, 1862, = 2 Shs Rca 8,349,426. Financial-year, 1867-68, - - - - - 50,048,144. Tinaucial year, 1872-73, - - - - - 81,806,419. Financial year, 1877-78, - ~ - - - 90,903,279. Financial year, 1882-83, - - - - - 124,535,829. Financial year, 1886-87, - - - - - 144,083,941. Financial year, 1892-93, - - - - - 550,000,000. The Custom House duties show the following increase: Hinancidivyear, 1877-78, - = s+ . = Reis 7209,02aae Financial year, 1886-87, - - - - + 1,092,357,544. Financial year, 1892, - - - - about 3,009,000,000. Part of the Custom House revenue is expended in the State for the payment of the Federal Army and Navy officers, and expenses of a general character; but about two-thirds of the revenue is sent to Rio de Janeiro, to the Federal Treasury. Nore—One Mil Reis (1,000) is equal to $00.54 at par. Bot fre TRADE AND COMMERCE. The official value of the commerce of the Amazon shows the fol- lowing development. Car, Importations. Exportations, 1876-77, Reis 1,830,207,093. Reis 2,600,600,091. 1881-82. mame The R ey Aas P *€ 10,342,107,600. 1886-87. tO, 509513 7,038, ** 14,634,898,078. 1891-92. ** “16,000,000,000. ‘¢ 28,000,000,000. The last figures need no comment. Amazon imports from Europe the United States, and from other Brazilian States, the necessary articles of life, being almost null the products of its manufactures. The staple products of exportation are: INDIA-RUBBER—This is the principal article of its extractive, and exporting industries. Its production from 1858 to 1862, was 1,000,000 kilograms, or the annual mean of 200,000 kilograms. From 1867-1868, 3,366,000 or a mean of 673,200 annually. The production increased afterwards in the fol- lowing proportions: Wear: 1877-77, - . - : - - - Kilog. 1,733,239. PRIUS D OY mie ee el aht eee Mis <2 Rh 2 BOD BAS. ‘aie ARIES RSS 8 EA ae ete i est Os a cee rich Ys oe 1891. Sdnig i ote Anes | Sot ene ene Oh OUI ee BRAZIL, NUTS.—The exportation of this product has had the fol- lowing increase: Year: 1876-77. - - - - - - Hectolitres, 39,400. 1881-82, - - - - - - Hectolitres, 150,000. 1886-87, - - - - - - Hectolitres, 35:908. 1891, - - ~ - - -: Hectolitres, 98,213. COCOA.—The following has been the increase of this branch of agriculture: Year: 1876-77, - - - - - - Kilograms, 9,970. 1881-82, - - . - - - Kilograms, 50,000. 1886-87, - - - . - - Kilograms, 131,603. 1891. - - - - - - Kilograms, 1,601,486. Other articles of exportation, natural or due to industries are; Salt Dried Fish, Cumaru, Vanilla, Girofle Cloves, Hides, Tobacco, Isin- glass, Guarana, Copahiba Oil, Skins, Piassaba, a sort of black rush, Sarsaparilla, Urucu, Woods, Estopa, 'Oils, Puxury, Horns, Starch, etc. In former times, Cotton, Coffee, Indigo, and other products formed important articles of exportation, whose culture, however, was abandoned at the discovery of sources of greater wealth, which were besides, more easily acquired. wees Cattle raising, and the cultivation of Mandioca Meal, also that of cereals and vegetables are insufficient for domestic consuraption, and naturally take no part in exportation. NAVIGATION. The only means of transportation is made through steamers, which run actually about 10,787 miles on different rivers. On the Amazon, from Para to Tabatinga.....2.25 64.10 Neeeeeee 2,078. On the: Madeira river... ..s5.cce enc < pened: Cid aan ee 1,204. On the Negro Rivel i... 5. soe ts bee ere os\pists wales Oe 627. On the Purus. Rivers). oicle sc 5 oou cbs ieee Oe Sie os ae oes 2,104. On: the Puce Anhtents.-. skis ooo nne ewe ee tus bees 6 oes Se 1, 96e@. On the Juria River oo yc Poe a hice kn 0 evens oc eta aes ee 2,964. On the Javary River oon. dy5 oo os Sa vince 0,0 oe 750. Other rivers as Rio Branco, Japura, Ica, Jutahy, Teffe, Coary, are navigated by small steamers, but have not yet regular lines. ‘ The development that has taken place in the number and tonnage ~ of the shipping at Manaos during the last years is immense. Let these figures speak for themselves: Years. No. of Steamers. Total tonnage. In. Out. Total. 1872-73 51 45 96 45,600 1881-82 186 138 324 125,900 1891 317 447 764 566,800 This shows a rise of about 350 per cent. in ten years. The principal navigating company are: AMAZON STEAM NAVI- GATION COM PANY, LIMITED. This con.pany is largely subventioned by the State, and possesses a line of 26 steamers and 6 more in construction. . They made the following trips during the year of 1892: Tfines. In. Out. a eta: Paras. aoe Bo ke, AE ak a? 96 95 pi 6°) | PTE REV ee ee pce wee ee ee 24 25 49 Matera driver . iskteners Deas codes 15 12 | Be SURETY TREVOR oi aoe are oe eee ae ieee 9 10 19 IN Ge PO e eS 5 5 (AU ey seen 13 13 26 Solomois River. Ces eee eb 18 18 Bae oy Javaty River, atid OrMerseys ee west a 6 13 182 179 361 BRAZILIAN LLOYD. With a line of ten steamers, some very comfortable, being provided with the latest improvements. This com- pany is subsidized to make four monthly voyages. between Manaos and Rio de Janeiro, calling on all the principal intermediate towns. RED CROSS LINE OF STEAMERS. Runsa monthly trip between Manaos, and Liverpool, calling at Itacoatiara, Parintins, Para, Lis- bon and Havre. Some of the steamers of this company, as the Opsr- DENSE, (2,800 tons) are very luxurious, and provided with all modern improvements. ‘The company was subsidized by the State, but is now independent, carrying about 1,500 tons of cargo on each voyage. BOOTH STEAM SHIP CO., Limirep. This company hasa yearly subvention of $48,000,000 to make a monthly voyage between Manaos, and New York. Besides other steamers which the company possesses, it employs in that line the following: Clement, Cyril, Ambrose, and Basil. During the year of 1892, these steamers brought from Manaos to the port of New York, India-rubber, and other articles valued at $200,000 in each voyage, and carried from the U. States about 120,000 volumes of goods. From January to July of the present year, they car- ried from Manaos, goods valued at more than $3,000,000, and from New York more than 3,000 tons of general cargo to Manaos. They make in this period of time, eleven voyages, instead of six. The steamer, which the last month of March brought from Manaos to New York, the author of these lines, a small boat of 1184 tons and 830 horse power, had in its hold, a cargo valued at Reis 2,000,000,000. MANAOS NAVIGATION CO. This company runs its steamers to Purus, Jurua, and Solimoes, having at Manaos, its principal office. Other companies as Para, and Amazonas, and small steamers, belong- ing to the principal trade houses of Manaos, run in the rivers or smaller branches of the Amazon. THE CITY OF MANAOs. The capital of the State of Amazon situated on the left bank of the _ Negro River, six miles from its mouth, is destined, through its central position in the great Amazon Valley, to become the Soros of that region. And towards this, contributes also the salubrity of its climate, and the vastness of its beautiful port, where protected and free from -all danger, could anchor all the vessels of the entire world. As Chicago, the Queen of the West, is the center whence diverges - its immense lines of railways, so is Manaos the focus of inumerable water routes, which one day may teem with busy life. Sa (hee Built on high, dry land, cut by IGARAPES (small rivers) which empty into the Negro, the city offers a beautiful view, cepeciatle when the river is at high tide. The houses at Manaos are constructed either of brick or stone, covered with glazed tiles. The walls and floors are of beautiful native wood, of which also are constructed windows and doors. (In the For- estry Building are to be seen models of ceilings and floors of a private house.) Among the public buildings, which adorn the city are: The Governor’s Palace, State Treasury, The Lyceum, The Federal Treas. ury, Ihe Churches of Conception, Remedios, and St. Sebastian, The Military Hospital, Misericordia Hospital, Boys’ Institute, B. Constant Institute, State Warehouse, Public Market. Artillery Barracks, etc. In the outskirts of the city is worthy of notice, the Water Works with its fine Pumping Station, Masonry Dam, and Distributing Reser_ voir. On the eve of execution and in project, area large number of works such as a new Governor’s Palace, a Theatre, Forum, Penitentiary, Bridges, Gardens, etc. In Manaos, being the seat of the Government, are found the princi- pal State and Federal Buildings; Treasury, Custom House, Receiving Office. Public Works, Public Instruction, Superior Tribunal of Justice, Cte cGte, In the beginning of the present year, was installed in Manaos, a Meteorological Observatory provided with the most complete set of im- proved apparatus from Paris, and London. Manaos has a Public Library, Fire Brigade, various Charitable Institutions, an Orphan Asylum, a Mechanics Institute, several Hotels Telephone station, etc. Commerce and trade advance with gigantic strides. Besides the Manaos Bank, founded by A. C. de Figueiredo, which operates in al} branches of credit with a capital of Reis 1,000,000,000, there are im- portant commercial houses transacting business with the United States and Europe, of which we will quote the firms of: J. H. Andresen, Prusse, Pussinelli & Co., Brochlehurst & Co., Braga, Ventilari & Co., B. Bockris & Co., Freitas, Sobrinho & Co., Bernaud & Co., F. Alvares & Costa, A. Fermandes & Co., Pedrosa, Motta & Antongini, Kahn & Polack, Blum Feres, etc, etc. Public illumination is made by globe-gas, but shortly will be done’ by electric lights. Besides other publications, Manaos has four daily newspapers pub- lished in Portuguese. | With a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, the city is very welj supplied with excellent water, remarkable for its purity and softness, From the water-shed it runs through an aqueduct of brick masonry 30”? in diam., and 2,000 feet in length. Afterwards the water runs he through a channel 8’ wide and 500’ long, toa capturing tank founded on rock. From the tank the water is drawn out by pumps through a suction pipe 2,000’ long, with a diam. of 12’. The pumps force the water through two lines of cast iron pipes. 9’ in diam. and 5,000’ long each, to the distributing reservoir, situated at a height of 120 feet above the level of the pumps. From this Reservoir part towards the town the two main lines of cast iron pipes9’’ in diam. After running par- allels for about 3,000 feet, these lines diverge in order to make a con- tour of the city; reuniting after a per-course of about three miles in a single line, which ends into a small iron tank of about 45,000 gallons capacity. From the mains, part the secondary lines of pipes of 8’6” and4” indiam. The distributing pipes for dwellings are of tinned lemiot.2 7 1? 34> 34> in diam. The principal Reservoir has a capacity of more than 1,000,000 gal- lons. It is constructed of stone masonry and is divided.in two com- partments of equal size. It is covered with brick vaults and its floor is made of concrete. The pumps are two of double action, being 1’ 4” in diam. and 2’ course of stroke. They are moved by water-power given by two tur- bine wheels, which can work together or separately. The actual supply is about 800,000 gallons daily, but it will shortly increase by the erection of new pumps. The water has been supplied free, but on account of great waste and extravagance, water-meters will soon be placed in the private houses. INDIA RUBBER. India Rubber, also named CAOUTCHOUC, BORRACHA, and SERINGA, is a soft substance, flexible and elastic in ordinary temperature. Uuder 32° F it looses its elasticity and becomes hard. It is unchange- able to air and impervious to water. It softens in hot water, but does not dissolve neither in this liquid nor in alcohol. Its dissolvers are pur- ified petroleum, benzine, essence of turpentine, and principally bi- sulphured carbon. in some parts of Africa, India and Central America, are found trees, belonging to various families, which give products similar to India Rubber, but the best quality is extracted from the SIPHONIA ELASTICA, HEVEA BRASILIENSIS, Or HEVEA GUYANENSIS, that is found in the forests of Amazon. - Rubber of three qualities is produced in the foreing markets; FINE. ENTERFINE, and SERNAMBY. eet The superiority of Amazon or Para Rubber is due to natural causes and also to its better preparation, of which we will givea aS description. The Rubber gatherer cor SERINGUEIRO, at 8 to 10 o’clock in the morning goes through the ESTRADA, a sinuous path across the forest, and by means of a little special hatchet makes small incisions in the bark of the trees, and under each cut he fastens a small tin or clay cup to receive the sap. In the afternoon he returns to collect the sap which he empties from the cups into a sort of bucket or gourd. Some prefer to begin the work in the evening, returning for the sap the next morn- ing. The crop of the day, made by all the gatherers, is then put into a larger vessel, and the DEFUMATION or SMOKING begins, in order to coagulate the milk. Over aterrace, or in his hut, the workman pre- pares his FUMATORY, a kind of clay furnace or chimney, from the top of which escapes a dense smoke, produced by the ignition of the fruits of palm trees. The workman, sitting by his furnace, introduces a cir-’ cular wooden mould, provided with a handle, into the vessel _ con- taining the sap. It adhers to the mould that, thus covered, is exposed to the action of the smoke. The mould is turned around in the smoke until the aqueous part of the milk evaporates. Over the mould a thin solid covering of rubber is thus formed. Again the same operation is’ .mmade and elastic stractifications are thus superposed. When the workman finds that the layers are of sufficient thickness. with two lateral slashes, he takes the ball of rubber from the mould, and ex- poses it to the sun to finish the drying process. The FINE Para rubber is thus made. The SERNAMBY proceeds from the residues of the coagu- lated sap that escapes from the cups and flows along the tree or falls on the ground. . Besides the process above described, other have been invented. as those of Strauss, Bentes, Ray and others. In the Leather and Shoes Building can be seen, among the pro- ducts exhibited by the State of Amazon, some samples of rubber pre- pared by a new process. The use of rubber was at first elemental, but owing to the improve- - Ments introduced inlits manufactures by MacIntosh, Hancock, Broding, ~ Iyudersdoft, ae Gerard, Parkes. and other, it is to-day generally | employed and indispensable not only for the preparation of clothing, shoes, furniture, machinery etc., but for delicate apparatus of surgery, chemistry, etc. In the United States, we add with pleasure, nothing in the perc of rnbber manufactures is to be desired. ‘To give an idea of the magnitude of rubber industry, it is sufficient to tell that in the United States alone, about 200;000 pairs of boots and shoes are manufactured daily. Liga THE STATE OF AMAZON IN THE EXPOSI- TION OF CHIGAGO. In satisfaction of the invitation made by the Central Brazillian Commission of the Universal Columbian Exposition, the present Gov- ernor of the Amazon State, Dr. Edward G. Ribeiro, nominated the fol- lowing State Commission: LAuURO B. BITANCOURT. PRESIDENT. A DO'FIGUEIREDO, Vice-President. J. N. DE NASCIMENTO, Secretary. J.C. DE MxEsguita, Treasurer. CouNT STRADELLI, Capt. J. A. PINTO R1iBxEIRO, F. H. ALVARES, A. LuUcIANI, A. GRossI. B. DE-G1ao, and C. M. pa Siiva, Commissioners. At the Commissioners disposal was placed the sum of Reis 100,000,- 000 (¢54,900.00 exchange at par) voted by the State Congress for ex- penses. The Commission inaugurated their work in June, 1892. Agents were sent to different rivers for the purpose of procuring natural pro- ducts, and two photographers were commissioned to obtain views of Manaos, and of ‘the principal interior scenes. Neither expense nor labor has been spared; but want of time and the difficulties attendant upon the immense length of transportation, have made it impossible for the State to present all its resources. Be itas it may, we still with- out fear, respectfully call the attention of the reader to the articles ex- hibited in our departments in the Forestry,Leather and Shoe, Agricul- tural, Mining, Manufactures, Fisheries and Anthropological Build- ings. In the Forestry Building can be seen 441 specimens of beautiful woods, proper for all kinds of construction, joinery, dyeing, mosaical work, etc. The arch in the entrance doorway of the Brazilian sec- tion, in this department, is made of cables of Piassaba, (ATTLEA FUNI- FERA) a most rigid fibre, from which are fabricated bruhes, and brooms, of long duration. This arch is adorned with ESTOPA (oakum) products of the FIBER of various trees most proper for calking purposes. We must note in this section a large number of textile fibres,—the tucum, mirity, embira, curaua, cipos, which are used for manufactur- ing cords, fishing lines, hats, baskets, etc, etc. We will still notice some medicinal plants exhibited, such as Sarsa- parilla, Ipecacuanha, Abutua, Apihy, Murure, Parica, Guarana» Tamacoari, and Cumaru Oils. In the Agricultural Department are to be seen specimens of Cotton, Tobacco, Coffee, Cocoa, Tapioca, Mandioca, Brazil Nuts, etc. In the Leather and Shoe Ddpartment, are wild animals skins. and stg ie pal Pipectiaets from the Pia Borsa or. pre - Curaua Hammocks, decorated with | ‘Feathers, ‘Handsome : a woods of the country, SOMME aoe: AUREL da Seana sec In the Anthropological Section are Indian manufactures : “large collection of curious Sige aes objects. - a ees which ea too late to be exhibited ; in the Art Gallery: visas i “Minerals, Stones, Argiles, and Crystals are shown from various ‘ rivers of the State, in the Mining Department. From the perusal of this brief notice, can be formed an idea of the Ec ae self there. . pa _'To Europe, eg region isa veritable Er Darapo, where elen _ merce and its pani fictwres, * _ Wehave all faith in the future of this marvelous me whos . progress, due almost exclusively to its natural resources, only kad parallel i in the great United States of America. Lithomount Pamphlet Binder Gaylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, N. Y. PAT. JAN 21, 1908 a sth =: 4 MG a EERE, | , isd de, ES U URBA oy ee IN 3 0112 041354371 \ oe tara zn ees) ro