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danger, seeing that the rivers, the only highways in a densely

wooded country, contain innumerable rapids through which only

small boats can be navigated.


Following the Orinoco as far as Niapire, the author then

proceeded to explore the Caura, in the first expedition (1897-98)

reaching Temblador, and in the second (1900-01) the Mountain

Auffiha which he intended if possible to climb, but was unable.

The hardships endured during this expedition would certainly

have killed most men, and on several occasions it looked very

much as if the author would never live to return home. For

long distances the country is uninhabited by human beings, and

it is consequently impossible to procure provisions ; and the

immense difficulty of transporting sufficient for the long

journey in the moderate-sized dug-outs can be imagined. At

the very commencement of fhe return journey the largest boat,

containing all the provisions, collections, journal containing

extensive notes, and in fact everything that was of most value to

the party, was wrecked in an attempt to navigate the Arachi

Rapids, and starvation stared the expedition in the face. Two

natives deserted, and the guide died of starvation.


Through all this trying expedition the author carefully

studied the natural history of the country through which he

passed, and his notes on the birds especially are very interesting.

When writing of the Tonca-bean, the gathering of which forms

one of the principal industries in the country, the author tells

us that “ during the mouths of October and November, while

the fruit is still quite small and green, the large Macaws and

several other members of the Parrot family commit great havoc

upon the young crop. No birds are more extravagant than

Parrots in their method of feeding, not so much on account of

what they consume as of what they waste. Wherever these

birds have eaten, the ground is strewn with fruit only chewed and

then awkwardly dropped, or perhaps with just a small piece

bitten off. Hence the destruction before maturity of enormous

quantities of this valuable product.”


Of the Bell-bird the author observes:—“The Campanero,


‘ the bellman,’ as the natives call the bird, is rarely met with in

the neighbourhood of cultivated spots. The presence of man



