R. H. SCHOMBURGK. 63 



here it retains its peculiar characteristic of being 

 studded with granitic boulders. 



The expedition returned to Annai, and thence to 

 Pirara, which was to become the scene of the labours 

 of the Rev. W. Youd, the first Protestant missionary 

 to the Indians of the interior of Guiana, and who 

 arrived on the 15th of May. The settlement was 

 much increased in numbers ; and all the Macusis — 

 men, women, and children — were busily employed 

 in finishing the chapel ; the missionary's house being 

 already completed, besides thirty huts. The Ma- 

 cusis are a kind and hospitable tribe, and appear to 

 be less indolent than the Indians generally. The 

 birthday of our Sovereign (May 24) was duly kept 

 in this remote corner of her dominions, and the 

 British union waved at Pirara. Nor could a natu- 

 ralist forget that on the same day, in 1695, the 

 great Linne was born at the obscure village of Ras- 

 chult in Sweden. 



From this place Mr. Schomburgk made several 

 excursions upon the neighbouring savannahs, now 

 mostly overflooded by the great rains. At length, 

 accompanied by Mr. Youd, he left Pirara under the 

 escort of the commandant, and on the afternoon of 

 the 30th June arrived at Fort St. Joaquim. They 

 were received with great civility; and two com- 

 fortable houses were given up to them for their 

 quarters, so long as they might think it convenient 

 to remain. 



Fort Sao Joaquim is situated on the eastern shore 

 of the river Takutu, a short distance from its con- 



