Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 151 



depth, in order that they should have lasted to the 

 present time. 



On many of the rocks, a very considerable caking 

 off of the surface is taking place — a superficial 

 cleavage that removes, in some parts, a layer more 

 than an inch in thickness. Many of the "Timehri" in- 

 scriptions are found on such shelving masses, and in 

 places where a thick layer has already partially broken 

 away, the inscriptions are either entirely wanting or are 

 but barely discernible on the newly exposed under 

 surface. On one large overturned block, which seems to 

 have been more or less cubical, with inscriptions on its 

 four sides, the patterns are clear but shallow, and the 

 splitting up of the large block, both horizontally and 

 vertically, is a present sign of its early destruction. 

 Even at the very low state of the water at the time when I 

 inspected them, some of the rocks on which inscriptions 

 were found were partially submerged : and while there 

 is nothing to shew how long ago the displacement here 

 evidenced took place, the guesses one might make at 

 the antiquity of the inscriptions are at the best perfectly 

 futile. The question of the implements made use 

 of to cut out characters or figures of the kind here 

 shewn, is one, too, that is fraught with a good deal 

 of perplexity. 



At Warraputa an interesting collection of specimens 

 was made; and it was with great regret we were 

 compelled to turn away after a day's stay — the limit of 

 the trip being nearly reached. Judged by the light of 

 our short experience, the district and its neighbourhood 

 would make a splendid collecting ground. All the great 

 groups are represented by typical forms ; <and doubtless 



