32 MEMOIR OF 



For the last few miles the granitic ledges have 

 presented a glazed coating, probably from black 

 oxide of manganese, and the dykes, which here 

 cross the river, had at a short distance the appear- 

 ance of a dry stone wall. They form rapids at 

 Cumaka and Akramalalli, which are not passable 

 but with great difficulty; for though the fall of 

 water be trifling, the sharp edges of the rocks very 

 much endanger the canoes which have to be hauled 

 over them. But it is at "Waraputa where these ra- 

 pids are most serious, and it was some hours before 

 our travellers got fairly over them. Rocks broken 

 up in the greatest confusion, forming numerous 

 channels, through which the water is seen tumbling 

 and rushing in every direction, — here an impetuous 

 cataract, there a gliding cascade, — accompanied by 

 a loud dunning noise, combine to constitute a pic- 

 ture at once sublime and awful ; filling the mind of 

 the beholder with dread and admiration of these 

 stupendous and magnificent works of his Creator. 

 The fish called pacu is abundant here, frequenting 

 the falls to feed on the weira and various other 

 species of lads. 



The most remarkable mountains next passed 

 were the Taquiari ofi'set of the chain of Twasinki. 

 The former name is derived from a pile of large 

 granite boulders, so placed upon the mountain as to 

 resemble a water-jar : hence, too, called Cumuti by 

 the Arawaaks. Much superstition was attached to 

 them, and those who had not seen them before 

 were obliged to drink lime-juice, and to have 



