Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana. 377 



corresponds with that of the fee. An Indian who has been 

 named is supposed to be less subject to disease and misfor- 

 tune. The appellations are generally patronymic. The 

 borings of the lips, ears, and septum of the nose, take place 

 at an early age, and are kept open by pieces of wood. The 

 parents are exceedingly affectionate to their children, and, 

 Avith one or two exceptions, I have never seen them adminis- 

 ter personal correction ; they will bear any inconvenience, or 

 even insult, rather than inflict punishment. 



The first delight of the boy is a bow and arrow. His little 

 hand grasps the light bow, and with the greatest self-satis- 

 faction and infantine prowess depicted on his face, he tries 

 his skill, and takes small lizards and locusts as his mark. 

 The girl assists her mother in the preparation of bread, of 

 the favourite drink, or, by means of a primitive spindle, of 

 thread from the indigenous cotton, for the manufacture of the 

 hammock. They accompany their mothers to the provision 

 fields, and help to cultivate the ground, and are accustomed 

 at an early age to carry the heavy cassada roots to their 

 homes. These wild children of the forest and savannahs are 

 modest, and, without being tutored by their mothers, are re- 

 served towards strangers. 



I have not observed many games among the children, but 

 wrestling is frequently practised, and a kind of tennis, for 

 which purpose they use balls made of indigenous caoutchouc, 

 or the ears of maize or Indian corn. When the boys verge 

 into manhood, they have to subject themselves to severe la- 

 cerations on th^ir breasts, made with the teeth of the wild 

 hog, or the beak of the toucan. There are several other cere- 

 monies which appear symbolical of courage, fearlessness, and 

 endurance of pain, such as being put into a bag where there 

 are stinging ants ; and if they endure these without shriek- 

 ing, they are accepted as the companions of men. When a 

 Warrau girl arrives at womanhood, she is merely deprived 

 of her long hair ; but the young Mauhe, Mundrucu, and Mura 

 women, at the Rio Negro and Amazon, at this interesting 

 period have to undergo a most severe trial. Their ham- 

 mocks are slung under the roof of the hut, where they arc 

 exposed to incessant smoke, besides being subjected to strict 



