HINTERLAND NOTES 459 



to the north and south, towards the mountains. Strangely 

 enough, the Roman Mission, on the Takutu, comes into this 

 belt. A map indicating isotherms would reveal the fact that 

 the average temperature of this zone is higher than that of 

 the zones to north and south, although I have known it to 

 be so hot upon the jNIasara savannah as to cause an Indian 

 drogher to be nauseated continually, as he walked in, to Tuka 

 Village. Upon the savannahs, so much depends upon wheth- 

 er one faces, or travels with the wind, or the set of the air. 

 Those who intend to do research work would be well advised 

 to make quick marches outward, when investigations take 

 them to leeward of their camp, and to work back against 

 the wind. The extra comfort and the comparative freedom 

 from savannah flies are worth securing. Those who wish to 

 track animals, will, for other reasons, work against the wind. 



Hotv to reach the district: It is possible to take an 

 ocean boat up the Amazon, proceed up the Rio Grande, and 

 take a launch up the Takutu (so called) to the Ireng. The 

 journey from Georgetown is made by steamer to Wismar 

 and train to Rockstone (one day's journey), thence, by 

 launch, to Potaro Mouth (another day's run). The usual 

 custom is, for the passengers to take this course, and for the 

 captain, bowman, and crew to start from Rockstone, where 

 the boats are loaded. Nearly a week M^ill elapse between the 

 time of their leaving Town, and arriving with the laden 

 boat at Potaro Mouth. The launch to Potaro Mouth some- 

 times has to make several attempts before it succeeds in 

 crossing Crab Falls. We left Town and stayed at Wismar, 

 while the boat was being loaded; thus we were a week in 

 reaching Potaro Mouth. 



At the present time, occasional travelers may obtain 

 free passage up to Rapo-nunni Mouth in a balata boat, go- 

 ing up empty, to bring down balata. Tliese opportunities 

 occur at the end of the rains. Goods will be taken up in 

 these boats at the rate of three cents a pound, from Rock- 

 stone, or Potaro Mouth. At the beginning of the rains, and 



