140 TlMEHRl. 



which for some considerable distance leads steeply up 

 the hill, and is rendered tiresome for walking owing to 

 the numerous roots which crop out along it. On leaving 

 the forest, the main track leads on right across the sand- 

 stone plateau to the waterside far up on the Potaro ; 

 while another track, turning sharply to the left, leads to 

 the falls, first over a portion of the plateau, then through a 

 narrow stunted fringe of forest running nearly parallel with 

 the river, and then again across an intervening portion 

 of the plateau, to the edge of the amphitheatre, towards 

 which direction the sound of the fall is a sure guide. 

 The superficial parts of this plateau or savannah, consist 

 of a verv uneven but indurated conglomerate, split up 

 and broken up by small cracks and gulleys, bare in many 

 parts, but usually dotted here and there, or covered with, 

 a spare scrubby plant growth of ferns, grass, shrubs and 

 creepers, among which the huge Bromeliad, Brocchinta, 

 is found in considerable excess, contributing towards the 

 very ^c\x\\2lX fades of the savannah. 



At various points along the edge of the amphitheatre 

 fine views of the falls can be obtained ; and a markedly 

 advantageous position is found close to the extreme edge 

 of the bed, and formed by a broad shelf of rock projecting 

 for a few feet clear over the edge of the precipice and 

 supported by a smaller slab beneath. Standing at the 

 outer edge of this rock, one commands to a certain extent 

 a front view of the falling water. But the most satis- 

 fying view from the top was obtained by partially 

 jumping from rock to rock, and partially wading through 

 the shallow water, across the two small outer divisions 

 of the fall, to a big and bold projection of rock at the 

 edge, around which the river foamed. Here one stood 



