Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana. 375 



in its size, in a great measure designates the tribe. The 

 Kirishanas, QEwakus, and some of the Maionkongs, dispense 

 with all clothes, and paint their bodies black and red with 

 pigment. 



The form of hut is sometimes characteristic of the tribe ; 

 and while the hut of the Warrau, Arawaak, and Carib is a 

 mere shed, that of the Macusi and Wapisiana is frequently 

 built of mud, surmounted by a roof of a pointed form, of al- 

 most eastern character. These roofs are neatly thatched 

 with palm-leaves ; and whatever may be the form of the house, 

 this substance is generally used. The inner structure is 

 simple, and answers all the purposes for which it is intended. 

 The absence of nails and bolts is replaced by lianas or withes. 



The hut of the Wapisiana is dome-shaped, and displays 

 considerable architectural skill. These houses, for the most 

 part, have only a ground floor ; I noticed, however, among 

 the Caribs, huts having one story, the communication being 

 eflfected by a ladder on the outside. 



Several families will occupy a single hut, which is in no 

 way partitioned off". In every village there is a house exclu- 

 sively dedicated to the reception of strangers. It is usually 

 situated in the midst of the community, and is furnished 

 and provisioned by the chieftain and his family. This house 

 is called Tapoi by the Macusis and Wapisianas. 



The (Ewakus and Kirishanas on the rivers Parima and 

 Orinoco, and the Muras on the Amazon, have no fixed habi- 

 tations. Like the gipsies, they hold little intercourse with 

 foreigners, wander from place to place, and build a tempo- 

 rary shed. No girdle surrounds their loins, no perizoma 

 hides their nakedness. 



Although the same hut may be occupied by more families 

 than one, there is no community of utensils. These, as may 

 be presumed, are very simple, consisting of many sorts of 

 earthenware vessels of different shapes and sizes, resembling 

 in form the Etruscan vases. The women principally fiibri- 

 cate the pottery, and mould with the hand the largest vases, 

 containing from twenty-five to thirty gallons. These are 

 frequently ornamented with Greek and arabesque designs. 

 A few low stools carved out of a solid piece of wood, and re- 



