HINTERLAND NOTES 455 



walk fifteen, or even twenty miles, in certain directions, with- 

 out finding anything drinkable. 



Taking the region between the Pakaraimas and the 

 Kamikus, the Rapo-nunni and the Takutu, one may describe 

 it as, principally, savannah. There are levels, some of them 

 bare, at the foot of the Pakaraimas, and other levels, mostly 

 dotted with stunted growths, at the foot of the Kanukus. 

 The intervening country is rising ground, extending from 

 the Takutu to the Rapo-nunni, the higher parts being to- 

 wards the latter river. These low hills are dotted with stunt- 

 ed trees, and carry a coarse grass, which grows in tufts. 

 There are intervening hollows with swamps, or swampy 

 ground, according to the season. These damp patches are, 

 usually, outlined with kwai, or ita palms. Here and there are 

 nullahs blocked with thick growths and trees. Lake Amuku 

 does not exist. There is a small pond during the dry sea- 

 son, and the levels about it are flooded during the rains, 

 giving the appearance of a large lake. Examination shows 

 trees growing through the water, in the middle of the "lake." 

 An important pond, in respect of size, is Mare-kupu (Mare 

 gravel; kupu pond), secreted in the Mare-pupu bush. 

 Tawrong Thamu Pethaku Kupu is a pond surrounded by 

 swampy land, thus presenting a considerable expanse of wa- 

 ter. Other ponds of interest are the Parishara, the Steamed 

 and Warabai. Throughout the course of the river are many 

 backwaters, some of which appear to be old ponds which 

 were tapped by the stream, on its way. The Indians call 

 them all kupu. They are splendid hunting-grounds for fish. 

 The smaller ones are dammed, or staked, to prevent the es- 

 cape of fish, and are poisoned, by beating out the roots of the 

 atha, along the brink and from woodskins paddled criss- 

 cross over the surface. The stupefied fish show white and 

 rise to the top, where the larger ones are shot with bow and 

 arrow, and the smaller ones are picked up by hand. If left 

 for a time, or if placed in fresh water, the fish recover. Tak- 

 ing his hammock and slinging in the open, at night, a natur- 



