S96 NATIVL BURIAL TREE. 



our furtlier progress at this time of the tide. Land- 

 ing, accordingly, 1 advanced for nearer inspection, 

 towards the huge bundle of sticks before mentioned. 

 It seemed almost like the nest of some new bird, and 

 greatly excited my curiosity. As I approached a 

 most unpleasant smell assailed me ; and on climb- 

 ing up to examine it narrowly, I found that it con- 

 tained the decaying body of a native. 



Within the outer coverinof of sticks was one of 

 net, with an inner one of the bark of the papyrus 

 tree enveloping the corpse. According to the sin- 

 gular practice of uncivilized people, of providing 

 for the wants of those who have nothing more to 

 do with earthly things, some weapons were depo- 

 sited with the deceased in this novel kind of mor- 

 tuary habitation ; and a little beyond was a rill of 

 water. 



There was an air of loneliness in the spot, per- 

 fectly in keeping with the feelings this strange 

 discovery naturally called forth ; and from the 

 few recent signs of the natives, it would appear 

 that here, as in other parts of the continent, 

 spots where the dead lie are kept sacred. Some 

 dark brown and black hawks were perched on the 

 trees near, looking like so many mutes stationed to 

 shew respect to the departed ; but their intentions 

 were of a different character, as they were waiting, 

 I imagine, for some friendly gust of wnnd to shake 

 off the covering of the deceased. 



While we were making these observations, the 



