Capuchin Mission of the Caroni. 279 



of the diridiri, a tree resembling the tamarind in appearance, 

 and very common hereabout. The seed is gathered in the pod 

 when nearly ripe, bruised, and thrown into the vat, where it is 

 steeped in boiling water, till all the tanning property is extracted. 

 It is more astringent than the bark of oak, and is excellent for 

 ink. I had a jaguar-skin tanned with it in five days. The 

 carpenters' houses were distinguished by doors and windows, 

 but for want of saws to cut timber into plank, their work is con- 

 fined principally to the frames of the houses. The cotton gins 

 are simple, and upon the common Berbice principle. Petacas, 

 or boxes of hides, are made here, as well as saddles, of a rude 

 form. The fever had not abated ; nine were buried yesterday, 

 five this morning. Witnessed the mode of beating out the rice. 

 Twelve stout wenches were employed in the gallery of the 

 church, with short sticks, with which they beat time to a song. 

 They appeared healthy and cheerful. On our return, found the 

 commissioner again ill, but satisfied with the regularity of the 

 fit. He talked of passing a few days at a conuco in the moun- 

 tains, the only one that had belonged to a Godo, (Spaniard,) 

 and, of course, confiscated. 



nth. Breakfasted with U — . He was cheerful and better, and 

 had ridden out in the morning, so we trusted in his speedy re- 

 covery. He was expecting Cornejo to see us forward on our 

 journey. — At mid-day, resolved on a trip to Alta Gracia, about 

 eight miles distant to the northward, on the main route to San 

 Miguel. Passing our former road, we continued straight on 

 over the mountains, in lieu of turning to the right towards 

 Tarife's. The descent was long, steep, and so much torn up 

 by the rains as to be 'scarcely passable. Soil rich for two miles 

 beyond the mountain, and excellent in two or three plantations 

 by the way-side. In one of coffee, with a hedge of limes and 

 oranges, we observed more care in the cultivation than we had 

 yet seen. Entered a large undulated savanna, with a surface 

 apparently of sandy clay, intersected by a stream of water. 

 Good pasture in many places. A mile and a half off this 

 savanna brought us to Alta Gracia; once a considerable 

 establishment, but now of most desolate appearance. Indeed. 



