Page:Neuroomia.djvu/259

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THE SIFTING OF THE EVIDENCE.
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that the greater part of Arawarria must have been within the torrid zone. The soil was extremely prolific, and in a high state of cultivation, grass, grain, fruits, and flowers being abundant. Animals and birds, were also numerous. They had swift and commodious ships; some, indeed, were designed for sailing only, but the majority were propelled by machinery. With these they traded with other great divisions of land, some larger than their own.

The brothers were allowed the privilege of viewing some of their maps, and were astounded at the distance they ventured from Arawarria, and the vast proportions of the land they visited.

I considered it a matter for regret that the brothers had not copied the remainder of the coastline from the maps shown them. Whatever was their motive, probably a high sense of honesty, they did not do so, for the sketch only showed the part of the coast they had actually seen—the southern portion.

The course of the Orino was indicated by a broken line which ran near the shore. This line frequently ran into the coast, showing the places where they had landed. Contrary to what might be expected, however, they seldom entered what