THE TONCA-BEAN INDUSTRY 9 



Hence the destruction before maturity of enormous 

 quantities of this vahiable product. 



All through February and March the Caura, so de- 

 serted at other times, presents a scene of activity ; many 

 boats are met with struggling against the powerful 

 current of the stream, from the large bongo or dug-out, 

 of several tons, with an entire family, to the frail skiff 

 handled by two men. Those of a more enterprising dis- 

 position fit up expeditions of two or three bongos and 

 employ quite a number of hands. This is a time of plenty 

 for the inhabitants of the place. Progress up the river is 

 slow and the boats make frequent stoppages for the 

 purpose of purchasing fresh provisions and rum. Where- 

 ever there is a settlement the men will land and most 

 of them get drunk. The old visitors usually stop at the 

 spots leading to the sarrapiales with which they are 

 familiar : they know every inch of ground, every tonca- 

 bean tree in the district. Cano Guayapo, Suapure, 

 Temblador, and La Prision are the settlements where 

 most of the boats stop. Some of the more energetic 

 sarrapieros push on as far as Cangrejo, but it is hard and 

 risky work getting through the rapids of Mura and 

 Piritu. So soon as a party has selected a spot as a centre 

 of operations, the men build the rancJios or huts which 

 for two or three months will be their home. If the fruit 

 has commenced to fall, collecting begins at once ; if not, 

 the men wander about the forest noting the spots where 

 fruit is plentiful, or they while away the time fishing and 

 hunting. Every member of a family or party — man, 

 woman, and child — takes part in the collecting. At day- 

 break the work commences, the workers separating so 

 that no fruit-bearing tree may be overlooked. After the 

 irees in the immediate neighbourhood of the ranchos have 



