ON THE AMAZON AND RIO NECKO. 3? 



r 



telescope I could discern steep escarpments bare of forest ; but in no 

 part could I distinguish the trees, the forest-clad portion being only 

 recognizable from its colour. I suppose that the highest part 

 an abrupt truncate peak about midway — may be nearly 4000 feet 

 above the plain. Those who have ascended the river Canaboris, de- 

 scribe it as very picturesque, and possessing a peculiar vegetation. 

 Certain curious plants, said to resemble both Palms and Ferns, from 

 the description given me, can only be Cycades. I was delighted to 



siems 



flowering; it is the only species of this tribe I have seen in South 

 America, 



The Kio Canaboris is easily reached from San Carlos, by proceeding 

 up the Pacimeni, a tributary of the Casiquiare, and up its southern 

 branch, the Baria, from which there is a short portage to the Canaboris ; 

 but nothing of bulk could be taken this way, and I have reason to 

 believe that the Canaboris does not reach the Cerro de Tapiira-pecu. 



A more likely route for us is by the Siapa, the longest tributary of 

 the Casiquiare, called iii its upper part the Hio Castanha, and certainly 

 having its sources in the above-named cerro. The only objection to it 

 is, that several steep randales have to be passed; but these may be 

 avoided by making a circuit through the upper mouth of the Casiquiare, 

 and going up the Mauaca, from which there is a short passage by land 

 to the Castanha. 



We have discussed these and other routes, principally with the view 

 of avoiding the hostile Guaharibos; the more especially as it is believed 

 that these Indians do not extend to the actual sources of the Orinoco, 

 but that tribes inhabit these with whom friendly communication has 

 been held by the Castanha and Padaniri. On the whole, I think we 

 incline to first risk a battle with the Guaharibos ; and I have little doubt 

 that, with fifty men well-armed, we should be able to force our way. 



Shortly after the separation of Venezuela from the mother-country, 

 and whilst there was still an armed police in the Canton del Kio Negro 



there is none of any kind now — the Commandante of San Fernando 

 was sent, with a considerable body of armed men, to endeavour to open 

 amicable relations with the Guaharibos. He reached the Randal de los 

 Guaharibos with his little fleet of fifteen piragoas, and, as the river was 

 full, the whole of them might have passed the raudal ; but it was not 

 considered necessaryj and his own pirngoa alone was dragged up, the 



