8o SEA FISH OF TRINIDAD 



(Rhizophora), and white mangroves (Avicennia nitida). 

 There ought to be dollars in the exploitation of this swamp, 

 for these splendid poles, 40 ft. to 60 ft. in height, as the red 

 mangrove particularly is the best wood for wet situations, 

 and the bark is good for tanning purposes. The difficulty lies 

 in getting the poles out, for there is not sufficient water to 

 float a punt, while there is too much for cattle to be used as 

 haulage, but this could, I fancy, be overcome by other means 

 if the demand arose. Once more in view of the sea and the 

 base of Mayaro point. As it is impossible to go round the 

 rocks, we take the steep hill and drive right on, eventually 

 coming out at the beach again at St. Joseph's, passing the 

 new main road to Savanna Grande on the right. A few 

 hundred yards more and we reached the Mayaro Rest-house, 

 where we found our fresh horse and got breakfast. A short 

 rest and off again, past the village, or rather villages of 

 Mayaro. Immediately opposite the Roman Catholic Church 

 at Plaisance, is the anchorage for the R. M, S. coastal steamei 

 when she comes to load and discharge cargo, there being 

 comparatively deep water so that the "Kennet" can come 

 within a hundred feet or so of the shore. Onward through 

 the interminable sand and miles of coco-nut groves, past 

 Beausejour, Perseverance, the Lagon doux (which much be- 

 Hes its name), and Beaumont where our local Pierpont Mor- 

 gan has one of his many irons, and a good one, too. Twelve 

 miles of this, and we cross the narrow spit of land forming 

 the peninsula of Cape Galeota, the extreme Southeast point 

 of the Island. Outside this point there is a reef from which 

 oysters are obtained that cannot be excelled in flavour any- 

 where. Now the bay of Guayaguayare bursts on our view, 

 the largest and most picturesque bay in Trinidad, with its 

 two sentinels, Points Galeota and Gran Calle. It has some 

 nasty reefs, both on the Eastern and Western shores ; this in 

 combination with sparse cultivation and population has 

 hitherto hindered its exploitation, so it has been a terra in- 

 cognita to Trinidad folk. Now, a combination of our Eng- 

 lish and Canadian friends, having struck "ile," there is no 

 saying to what heights Guayaguayare may soar. At the 

 time of my visit, everything was very much in embryo, but 



