62 MEMOIR OF 



in a southerly direction to a Woyawai settlement, 

 and visited afterwards a village in latitude 12 min. 

 south. They had thus crossed the equator at noon, 

 and had so far accomplished one of the objects of 

 the expedition. 



Immediately on returning to the boats, they 

 started on their further ascent of the Essequibo. 

 The river flows through a rich mountain valley, but 

 is narrowed to fifteen yards, and was much ob- 

 structed by trees which had fallen across it. During 

 the first two days, the rapidity of the current was 

 two miles and a half an hour, running over a pebbly 

 bottom, and about three feet deep. On the next day, 

 finding they could make no farther progress in their 

 corials, they set out by land along the banks of the 

 stream, ascending through a mountain valley densely 

 covered with w^ood. After three days' painful march, 

 they arrived at one of the sources of the Essequibo, 

 at a spot surrounded by high trees interwoven with 

 lianas, so much so that no sight could be got of 

 sun or stars ; but, by the courses and distances, it 

 must be in 41 min. north latitude. The British 

 ensign was hoisted and secured firmly to one of the 

 trees, there to remain till time shall destroy it ; Her 

 Majesty's health was drank in the unadulterated 

 water of the Essequibo, and the party returned to 

 their corials. 



The Sierra Acarai, among which the Essequibo 

 takes its rise, is very densely wooded ; at times the 

 stream meanders at the very foot of the mountains, 

 and at others recedes to some distance ; but even 



