B6 BACK Al I I MAN \. 



instead of passing between (he island of Margarets and 

 the isthmus of Arava. They accordingly started from 

 the mission of Oatuaro, and proceeded to the town of 

 Cariaco, where they embarked in a canoe, on the morn- 

 ingofthe 24th. Quitting the town they sailed westward 

 along the river of Carenicuar, which ran through gar- 

 dens and plantations of cotton trees. They saw the 

 Indian women on the banks washing their clothes with 

 tlif fruit of the soap-berry. Contrary winds beset them 

 in the gulf of Cariaeo. The rain fell in torrents, and 

 the thunder rolled very near. Swarms of flamingoes, 

 < _ ivts, and cormorants filled the air, seeking the shore, 

 whilst the alcatras alone continued peaceably to fish in 

 the middle of the gulf. They landed till evening, and 

 then resumed their voyage, under a misty sky. In the 

 morning they saw the vultures perching on the cocoa- 

 trees, in flocks of forty or fifty. 

 At last they reached Curnana. 



