R. H. SCHOMBURGK. 61 



devoid of all vegetation, for about five hundred and 

 fifty feet more, making its whole height nine hun- 

 dred feet above the savannah, or thirteen hundred 

 above the sea. 



After some days spent in toiling against the stream 

 and crossing extensive savannahs, they reached a 

 settlement of Wapisianas, where, although most of 

 these Indians had never before seen a white man, 

 they were kindly received. These were tall fine- 

 looking people, with regular features and large 

 noses, very different from the Malay nose of the 

 Warrau and Arawaak. The women were stout, 

 and wore their hair hanging doAvn over their shoul- 

 ders. 



With a Wapisiana for a guide, the party pro- 

 ceeded along a chain of hills leading to the granite 

 and well-wooded range of the Carawaimi moun- 

 tains, the highest peak of which, estimated at two 

 thousand five hundred feet above the plain, they 

 crossed, and descended to their camp near the banks 

 of the Guidaru. On their way, a large quantity 

 of sugar-cane, almost wild, was passed ; also the 

 arrow- plant {Gynerium saccharinum)^ resembling 

 the sugar-cane in its growth and leaves, and highly 

 valued by the Indians ; amidst these the beautiful 

 Amaryllis helladonna^ with its brilliant scarlet 

 flowers, grew in great profusion. 



Descending the Cu}aiwini, and passing several 

 settlements of the Taruma Indians, they entered 

 the Essequibo, and proceeded along this river to its 

 junction with the Caneruau, when they struck off 



