192 Information respecting Scientific Travellers. 



banks are marshy to its junction -with tlie Aruka; and so much 

 subjected to the tide, that we could not find any spot fit for our 

 night-quarters. It would cost the same labour and expense to bring 

 the lower tracts into cultivation that were required to render the 

 coast land of Demerara arable and productive. Of the upper regions, 

 which I have not yet visited, I can say nothing. 



The fish known under the name of querrunai in the colony abounds 

 in these estuaries, and its value is acknowledged, as one in its dry 

 state brings in the market of Georgetown from five to six hits {Is. 9d. 

 to 25. 3c?.). Of equal, if not greater value, is the morocotto, which 

 frequents the rivers that fall into the Orinoco, and weighs when taken 

 from 10 to 12 lbs. I consider it of importance to point out every re- 

 source that the country possesses. These fisheries, if followed up in 

 a proper manner, would no doubt become a useful branch of internal 

 commerce. 



We left the mouth of the river Barima on the 20th of May, and 

 arrived at Cumaka, which we had selected as our depot, on the fol- 

 lowing day. 



Thirteen miles from Cumaka, in a southern direction, the Aruka 

 is joined by the Aruau, by means of which the portage is reached 

 which forms the communication between the rivers Aruka and Ama- 

 cura. I resolved, however, to follow the Aruka some distance beyond 

 the junction, in order to visit a Warran settlement, and to become 

 acquainted with the character of the upper course of that river. It 

 decreases materially in size, being scarcely more than thirty yards 

 across ; its banks, still swampy, are studded with manicole and truti 

 palms, along the stems of which we saw the aromatic vanilla trailing 

 in large quantities, forming natural festoons, and its numerous white 

 flowers diffusing a delicious perfume. The water of the river was of 

 a jet-black, and so clear, that it was difficult to detect where the re- 

 flected image, which the trees and shrubs bordering its banks cast 

 into the river, separated from the real object. 



We returned next morning to the junction of the Aruau with the 

 Aruka, and, following the former river upwards, reached in the even- 

 ing the portage, whence we had to transport the corial to one of 

 the rivulets which flow into the Amacura. 



The soil consisted of rich loam ; and I observed several trees use- 

 ful for naval and civil architecture, as the crab-wood, siruadallia, so- 

 riari, mora, and many others. One of the mora- trees astonished me 

 by its gigantic size. 



The botanist would have been here much delighted by a diversified 

 and interesting flora. Orchideous plants, the Peristeria (or flower 

 of the Holy Spirit) ; several Epidendra, with scarlet blossoms ; and 

 many others of equal interest, adorned the trees. A Crucian with 

 white flowers and a delicious perfume bordered the banks ; Bigno* 

 niacece trailed along the trees ; and the Brownea i^acemosa, which has 

 been compared to our rose, added to the variety by its bright scarlet 

 colour, especially when contrasted with the green of the surrounding 

 shrubs and trees. 



We ascended it, in order to pay a visit to Assecura, a settlement 



