244 Dr Hancock on Turtles^ ^c. 



Kofa, 



Amongst the multitude of Guttiferce found in Guiana, we 

 must not omit to notice the great Kofa vine, which, although 

 a climber, grows to the size of a man's body. It is a species 

 of Clusia. 



This great parasitic bears a large and fragrant flower, in 

 ^the disc of which is found a species of vegetable wax of a yel- 

 low colour, soft and adhesive. 



On striking through its bark with an axe, it gives out its 

 milky fluid in a stream which on drying acquires a brown 

 and resinous aspect. 



Of another genus, namely Vismia, there are several species 

 which likewise yield most abundantly a bright blood-coloured 

 adhesive resin, said to be a strong cathartic, equal to gam- 

 boge. 



These trees grow to a considerable size. — They are the 

 blod-hout of the Dutch Creoles, the Woraly of the Arowaks. 

 They must not be confounded with the Worari or arrow- 

 poison, — a mistake I have noticed in the book (Wanderings) 

 of my friend Mr Waterton. 



The writer of this paper has samples of most of the resinous 

 substances which are mentioned in it. 



Art. VI. — Observations on Turtles^ Sfc. By Dr Hancock. 

 Communicated by the Author. 



The Tortuga. 



The Tortuga or large fresh water turtle travels far at times. 

 It deposits its eggs in the sand with surprising address. 

 The land turtles, it is said, are most stupid in this particular, 

 dropping their eggs, one by one, as they hobble over the 

 ground, neither covering nor taking any care of them what- 

 ever, nor paying any regard to their offspring. The tortuga, 

 on the contrary, covers its eggs so accurately as to leave no 

 signs perceptible of its nest ; and, however strange it may 

 seem, she so arranges it as to make her track appear unbroken 

 over the sands, and, after laying her eggs, she proceeds on 

 again in the same direction to complete the deception. 



