CONTENTS 



CHAPTEB I 



PAGE 



The Orinoco and its tributaries, the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni — 1 

 Dorado — The Caura and Merevari— Headless men of the Caura — 

 The tonca-bean tree — The tonea-bean industry — A trip to the 

 Caura arranged 1 



CHAPTER II 



First visit to the Caura, September 1897-May 1898 — La Prision— Ex- 

 ploration of Turagua — Departure from La Prision — Old Guachee's 

 house — Tramp through the forest — The jaguar — Method of shoot- 

 ing paujis — Tortoises— Gnats — Indian method of walking — Forest 

 fruits— Ascent of the mountain — The water-vine — The Peak — A 

 plague of flies — We leave the mountain — A journey to Ameha 

 arranged 13 



CHAPTER III 



History of the Orinoco steamers— Seizure of the steamer 'Bolivar' — 

 Departure from Trinidad— The hammock — Gambling on board — 

 Guaraunos— Barrancas— Guayana la Vieja— Ralegh and Guayana 

 la Vieja— Simon Bolivar and Los Castillos— San Felix— El Callao 

 mine — The Caroni — Ciudad-Bolivar 33 



CHAPTER IV 



Ciudad-Bolivar— Construction of the houses— Malaria— Notes on the 

 town— Navigation of the Orinoco— Rise and fall of the Orinoco— 

 The Orinoco as a highway— Exports— The trade in feathers— The 

 trade in balata gum— Export duties— Salt-pans— Salt monopoly— 

 Araya— Formation of salt deposits— Smuggling of salt— Leprosy- 

 Strange method of fishing °° 



