Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana. 383 



markable sandstone mountains, Roraima, always more or less 

 wrapped in clouds, sing, " Of Roraima, the red-rocked, I sing, 

 where with day-break night still prevails." 



Generally speaking, the voices of the Indians are mellow, 

 but not strong ; and I have heard it repeatedly remarked from 

 such as are able to form a judgment, that the hymns which 

 they heard sung by the converted Indians, at the Protestant 

 mission at Bartika Grove, surpassed in sweetness any con- 

 gregation they had heard in the civilized part of the colony. 



The funeral ceremonies of the Indians of Guiana differ in 

 some respects according to the tribe to which the deceased 

 belonged. If a man of consequence dies among the War- 

 raus, he is put into a canoe in lieu of a coffin, and all which 

 he possessed when alive, such as bows, arrows, clothes, 

 and beads, are buried with him ; over his heart they place a 

 looking-glass. They frequently kill the favourite dog of the 

 deceased, and put it with him into the grave. He is buried 

 in the house which he inhabited, and a fire is kept burning 

 on the spot for many nights. His relations assemble to be- 

 wail his loss with excessive and outrageous lamentations ; 

 and this is renewed at different times, and continues for many 

 months. The widow and children of the Warrau become 

 the property of his brother or next male relation. However, 

 should the widow refuse him, the incensed relations frequent- 

 ly satisfy themselves by subjecting her to a violent whipping, 

 after which she may live with whom she pleases. 



If the individual be an influential man the hut is burnt 

 down, sometimes the whole village. The Macusis follow 

 the custom of the Warraus in burying the property of the 

 dead. His dog is buried alive, not only to assist him in 

 hunting in the other world, but likewise to watch over his 

 body. The Atorais are, as far as I am aware, the only na- 

 tion who put the dead body upon a heap of wood, and burn it. 



The ceremonies of the Arawaaks are similar. Upon the 

 demise of a man of some standing, the relations plant a pro- 

 vision field with cassada roots, and bewail him with sudden 

 outbursts of lamentation. After the period of twelve moons, 

 the relations and friends of the deceased are called together, 



