56 TlMEHRI. 



to the use of the axe than the Portuguese and other 

 settlers), and then planted up. The owner of a clearing 

 usually does most of the work on it himself, but some 

 employ coolies, or Indians, or black people. The Indians 

 belong for the most part to the Warrau tribe, though 

 there are Caribs and Arrawaks also to be met with. Near 

 the mouth of the Barimaisa Warrau settlement, situated 

 some distance from the river-side, the road to which lies 

 through a heavy swamp and is composed of tree trunks 

 laid lengthwise, end to end, and affords at best a pre- 

 carious foot-hold. All communication between the 

 settlements is by water, and there is a curious system 

 of itaboos, or water-ways, leading from one river to 

 another, so that in the rainy season it is possible to pass 

 from the Moruca River directly into the Orinoco without 

 putting to sea once. 



As is usual in such districts, nearly every one possesses 

 either a woodskin, corial or bateau ; while one or two 

 of the more wealthy settlers own small schooners or 

 sloops, which they employ to convey to town the 

 produce of their provision lands, such as tannias, corn) 

 plantains, bananas, and yams. Owing, however, to the 

 unfavourable winds which frequently blow for long 

 periods in a contrary direction, and make the passage 

 from the Waini to town of several days' duration 

 (sometimes as many as seven or eight), the more easily 

 perishable crops become over-ripe and spoil, and great 

 hardship is thus inflicted on the squatters. Corn, therefore, 

 is by far the most remunerative crop, and there is a 

 small trade done in it with schooners which come from 

 Bolivar, on the Orinoco, or from one of the ports in the 

 Gulf of Paria , but there is no regularity in their visits, 



