The river navigation is controlled by the Amazon River Navigation Co. (1911), Ltd., and numerous private steamers, which form a flotilla only to be compared with that of the River Mississippi. A new company “A Companhia Navegação do Amazonas” is about to commence operations. All these steamers call at Manáos, or have their headquarters there. Telegraphic communication is as follows: By means of the =Amazon Telegraph Co., Ltd.=, in combination with the Western Telegraph Co. to and from all parts of the world. =Wireless Telegraphy= (Marconi and Telefunken systems), is already making considerable headway. The Marconi station at Manáos, in the hands of the Madeira Mamoré Railway Co., receives and transmits messages to and from Porto Velho, on the Madeira River, the starting point and headquarters of the railroad, as well as to and from the Telefunken stations at Senna Madureira, Empreza and Cruzeiro do Sul (the capital towns of the three divisions of the Acre Territory). These last stations are not yet open for use by the public, and other intermediate stations are still in course of construction. Manáos has also a station of the =Amazon Wireless Telegraph & Telephone Co., Ltd.=, which transmits messages to Pará, and has lately been in regular communication with the station in Iquitos belonging to the Peruvian Government. By this route it is possible to send messages to Lima, the capital of Perú, on the Pacific Coast. However, the Company mentioned has so far not succeeded in obtaining the official permission of the Brazilian Government to operate in Brazil. Manáos has a permanent population of upwards of 70,000 inhabitants. Its houses and public buildings conform to modern architectural ideas, and some of its buildings, such as the State Theatre, the Public Library, the Palace of Justice and the “Benjamin Constant” Orphan Asylum are magnificent. The streets, squares and avenues are well lighted by electricity and the town possesses an excellent electric tramway system. The drainage scheme is almost completed, and the water supply is very satisfactory. The port works are in the hands of the Manáos Harbor, Ltd. There are some excellent hotels, and a splendid telephone service. The following banks carry on operations in Manáos: =The London & Brazilian Bank, Ltd.=, and =The London & River Plate Bank, Ltd.= (British), agencies. =Banco do Brazil= (Brazilian), agency. =Banco Amazonense= (Brazilian), Head Office. [Illustration: A “SERINGUEIRO” TAPPING A RUBBER TREE.] =Banking Firms=: Zarges Ohliger & Co. (German). =Life, Fire & Marine Insurance Companies=: Northern Insurance Co. (British), agency. Royal Insurance Co. (British), agency. “Mannheim” Insurance Co. (German), agency. Lloyd Amazonense (Brazilian), head office. And agencies of the following Brazilian companies: Garantia da Amazonia, Seguradora Paraense, Allianca da Bahia, Commercial Paraense, Lloyd Paraense, Allianca Paraense.