R. H. SCHOMBURGK. 69 



and are overhung in some parts with low shrubs. 

 The most remarkable feature of these rocks is the 

 precipitation from their enormous heights of waters 

 which flow in different directions into three of the 

 mightiest rivers in South America, viz. the Ama- 

 zon, the Orinoco, and the Essequibo. 



After a stay of twenty-five days in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Roraima, they set out on their journey 

 towards Esmeralda on the Orinoco; their general 

 course thither being south-south-west. On their 

 way they were shocked by the skeleton of a human 

 being, near the site of a cabin which appeared to 

 have been burnt down : it had probably lain there 

 for months ; and was said by the Macusis to belong 

 to one of their tribe, who was blind, and had lost 

 his way and miserably perished. 



The party had travelled thus far, when an unfor- 

 tunate accident occurred to one of their guides, 

 whilst fishing at a brook : he was bitten by a rattle- 

 snake, and brought in senseless ; his eyes blood- 

 shot, his sight affected, head giddy, and limbs quite 

 rigid. However, he was recovered by prompt suc- 

 tion, the application of a ligature, and the prescrip- 

 tion of some palliatives. 



On the 3d December they reached a Zapara 

 settlement of upwards of sixty Indians, — a mixed 

 assemblage of Purigotos and others. Some were 

 Oewakus, who live in a wild state at the sources of 

 the Uraricapara, neither women nor men wearing 

 any covering ; their huts are moved from place to 

 place, and they are exceedingly timid. Very diffe- 



