382 Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana. 



boo, in which a small reed, on the principle of the clarionet, 

 is introduced, and, according to the size of the opening, it 

 causes a higher or deeper sound, and this is in some instances 

 powerfully increased by a hollow bamboo, often five feet long, 

 which is called wauawalli. These rude musicians are taught, 

 according as their bandrmaster makes a sign, to fall in with 

 their instruments, and thus produce an effect similar to the 

 Russian horn-bands. The effect, chiefly at a short distance, 

 resembles strikingly that peculiar music of the Russians, and 

 the favourite melody of the Warraus has something musical 

 in its composition surpassing all others. 



The quamah is a hollow flute of bamboo, of peculiar con- 

 struction, and mostly in use among the Caribs. The Carib 

 sounds it as he approaches his home in token of his arrival ; 

 and, as in the silent woods, or among the mountains, it is 

 heard at a considerable distance, preparations for his recep- 

 tion are immediately made. The music is peculiar, and, 

 probably descended for ages, is characteristic of that wild- 

 ness which has rendered the Carib so formidable. (Plate IV. 



%.i.) 



The Macusi Indians amuse themselves for hours, singing 

 a monotonous song, the words of which, Hai-a, hai-a, have 

 no farther signification. I add a copy, in Plate IV. fig. 2, of 

 this musical morceau, which is quite " sui generis." 



The Indians are not without poetical feeling. Irai, the 

 chieftain of the Caribs, before he was converted, lost his child 

 in 1835 at the Rupununi. I became about this time ac- 

 quainted with him, and as we sojourned for some weeks at 

 his settlement, I heard him generally singing words in a 

 melancholy strain. I asked him the signification, and he 

 told me he bewailed his child. The words were addressed 

 to the child in the grave : — 



" Come, dear child, to me. Come out a little ; let us speak 

 together. Why do you not speak to-day ? I hear the flute of 

 Donkaba Waehra. It is your uncle's flute which sounds ; 

 come out a little before your uncle comes.'' 



The strophe and antistrophe were frequently repeated. 



The Arecunas, who live in the neighbourhood of the re- 



