ITINERARY. XXXIU 



began the ascent of n steep, nearly precipitous mountain on our right, 

 which must have been a part of the eastern spui- of Marima. It was a 

 terrific climb, mainly over roots and broken rocks, and so steep and 

 slippeiy that it was literally a case of hauling oneself up, and so long 

 that it seemed one would never get to the top. There were frequent 

 shouts, sounding far away, from men up above and from those below ; 

 and it was a great relief when, after long pauses for rest, one at last 

 reached the top, uttei'l}' pumped out. It was altogether a painfid 

 climb for the people with their heavy loads; and for McConnell with 

 his sore feet was a very sevei-e trial. A long rest was taken at the top, 

 when the baskets could be let down. In all such places the meshwork 

 of roots is after all a great security, for they not only give the required 

 hold for both hands and feet, but the rocks are so bound that they do 

 not become dislodged. One rock loosened and pitching down such a 

 hill would have been disastrous, as the path was almost straight up. 

 A peculiar feature all over the upper part was produced by a white 

 lichen, often met with in patches in these ranges, foi-ming here an 

 almost snowy carpet, giving a very unusual appearance to the forest 

 floor. 



Gradually the path wound downwards and across low hills and ridges, 

 initil one reached the Kotinga river, flowing swiftly where the channel 

 is some forty yards wide. We crossed in a very rough and cranky 

 dug-out, three or four at a time, and were glad tliat even this insecure 

 craft was available. It required a very careful balance, and the strokts 

 of the small paddles sent it swinging from side to side to such a degree 

 that we often thought it was going right over. It was very long and 

 narrow, and was therefoi^e very unstable. 



In the map in Yol. I. the upper course of the river is not shown. 

 It flows in reality from the top of Mount Roraima, leaping from a gap 

 towards the northern end of the eastern wall, as fi'om a spout low down 

 1)h1ow the line of the edge, the water falling quite clear of the side after 

 rain has fallen heavily. It passes eastwards between IMarima and 

 V/aitipu (Wey-ee-te-peur or Sun Mountain), gathering numerous 

 streams from the adjacent heights. 



The track, too, from the Kako should leave from an eastern bi'anch 

 of that river much farther noi'th, making a wide curve round Marima, 

 and crossing the Kotinga well east of the line between that mountain 

 and Waitipu, and thence following the course of the river for majiy 

 miles before turning south-west to Roraima. 



Home little way up from the place at which we crossed, there was a 

 small settlement with a provision-fieltl, through wliich we passed where- 

 there were no obstructions. 1'he path led along the river through low 

 forest, and later passed across one of the terril^le, overgrown, abandoned 

 clearings that was even worse than the first, its thick overgrowth being 

 closely l»ound together by a thicket of creepers; and after another long 

 stretch of forest we came out to the large clearing of the village of 

 Menaparuti by the Kotinga, which we had thus reached by the long 

 way round. It was a large settlement of .several scattered houses and 

 sheds, very pleasantly situated, with fine views of the great mountains. 

 The peo[)le were very hospital>lo, and, following the usual custom, 

 brought out cas.sava bread and pojjpor-pot and quantities of i)aiwarri 



