496 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



ing among the remains of some game animal, and thus have 

 given the idea of connection between them. It is interesting 

 to note that there is a beena to promote the growth of cas- 

 sava ; this is interesting in view of the ideas of corn spirits in 

 the Old World, and points to the probable rise of the cult 

 when man grew roots. It is to be noted that, as beenas are 

 mostly used by men, that they were generally connected with 

 the mastery over beasts, women and perhaps unknown in- 

 fluences partially idealized as bush spirits. 



When we search for the Indian's gods we fail ; his dev- 

 ils are wood and water spirits, which may be compared with 

 goblins and fairies. They are hardly malicious, for like all 

 ideal spirits they are reflections of the character of their 

 makers. We should not expect to find the ogre with his 

 "Fee-fi-fo-fum" among a good-tempered people, but we do 

 expect the better type supposed to assist us when we treat 

 them properly. Most of the wood-spirits are supposed to 

 be either animals or to take their forms when they find it 

 necessary ; here there is some resemblance to the Old World 

 ideas. 



Are the beenas gods or guardian spirits? The Indian 

 is too matter-of-fact for such ideas. And yet they are some- 

 thing more than caladiums and frogs. I am hoping that 

 someone will be better able to find out than I can with my 

 very limited opportunities. 



LIST OF BEENAS. 



Tapir, 2 var. black-eared and white-eared. 



Caladium bicolor and Phyllomedusa bicolor 

 Peccary, 2 species. 



Caladium and Xanthosma atrovirens var. appendiculatum 

 Water-haas, Capybara, 



Caladium 

 Labba or Paca 



Caladium and Dioscorea 

 Acouri or Agouti, 



Caladium; Hyla septentrionalis and Dendrobates trivittatus 

 Adouri, or Tailed Agouti 



Tradescantia umbellata 



