56 IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 



precept. The only attempt he makes at writing 

 or drawing is to scratch figures on the sand with 

 a piece of stick like those of his mother's bead 

 apron, or conventional outlines of animals such as 

 may be seen on the two or three benches which 

 are used to squat upon and keep the feet raised 

 above the sand and its multitude of jiggers. He 

 learns the names of the game animals, birds and 

 useful plants, by hearing his father talk of them, 

 and their uses by practical experience. From 

 that tree his bark canoe was peeled, from this kind 

 his father's dug-out was made ; here is the bow- 

 wood, and there that from which he got his paddles 

 When walking through the forest he sees his fathei 

 bend down a twig here and there as a guide on his 

 return, and the boy does the same. Then his eyes 

 begin to appreciate the various things which go to 

 make up a knowledge of bush travelling, such as 

 the lay of the land, the watersheds of particular 

 creeks, and certain prominent trees. Like great 

 public buildings some immense forest trees stand 

 out prominently above the others and become 

 landmarks, and others get known from certain 

 events which happened in connection with them. 

 Among the roots of this great mora his father 

 caught an acourie, and in that hollow log a labba. 

 The blasted trees half-strangled by wild figs are 



