34 MEMOIR OF 



which is used by the Macusis for the manufacture 

 of the celebrated blow-pipe, through which the 

 arrows dipped in icorary poison are blown. Here 

 is also a palm called hlragha^ used for fencing in 

 the mouths of inlets to prevent the escape of fish 

 when the water has been poisoned. 



After encountering various obstacles from the 

 falls and islands with which this mighty river 

 abounds, the exploring party at length reached the 

 mouth of the Rupununi, the chief tributary of the 

 Essequibo; having been three weeks toiling up- 

 wards, over a distance of at least two hundred and 

 forty geographical miles from the sea. The waters 

 of the Rupununi are of a turbid yellow, whilst 

 those of the Essequibo are blackish, and the line of 

 division is clearly perceptible. 



The Rupununi for the first ten miles holds a 

 westerly direction, curving to the southward, is 

 about two hundred yards wide, and in the dry sea- 

 son seldom more than three feet deep. The banks 

 are abrupt, about six feet high, and exhibit a far 

 less luxuriant vegetation than the Essequibo ; the 

 water-guava with its snow-white blossoms, and 

 clusters of the sawarai palm, were the most con- 

 spicuous. For several days the caymans had dis- 

 ported themselves quite unceremoniously, and one 

 sixteen feet long came close to the bank to recon- 

 noitre the party. He was saluted with balls, which, 

 however, took no efi'ect ; and he only plunged and 

 re-appeared, as if determined to watch their move- 

 ments. 



