52 MEMOIR OF 



never afterwards could be persuaded to toucli a 

 cayman. Another of these animals had a piece 

 three inches long cut out of its windpipe, and an 

 hour after was still alive ; nor was it until a strong- 

 knife had been driven by main force into its brain, 

 that it expired. 



Christmas day was spent at the cataracts; and 

 though but a few of the Indians were aware of the 

 occasion and origin of this joyful day, and equally 

 were unable to understand what they were told of 

 the birth and atonement of our blessed Saviour, yet 

 they participated in the better fare which the party 

 enjoyed ; and as they could not learn whether 

 these falls had any name, the proposal that they 

 should be called " Christmas Cataracts " was gladly 

 adopted. 



The expedition continued on its progress but 

 slowly; the river narrowed considerably, and nu- 

 merous trees which, from age or the undermining 

 eflfects of the current, had fallen across, disputed 

 its advance. They were beginning to give them- 

 selves up to despondency, when they arrived at a 

 point where the river expanded and formed on 

 its eastern bank a smooth basin, on the southern 

 part of which some object attracted attention. No 

 idea could be formed what it might be, and the 

 crew were hurried to increase the rate of their 

 paddling ; in a short time they were opposite the 

 object of their curiosity — a vegetable wonder ! All 

 calamities were forgotten ; Mr. Schoraburgk felt as 



