EXPLANATORY INDEX. 



A. 



AcAiARi. — This is the resinous gum of the Hayawa, or 

 Hiawa, tree, Idea heptaphylla. 



It is reddish-brown, rather translucent, and brittle. When 

 placed on the fire, or, even better, laid on a piece of iron 

 nearly red-hot, it melts and then forms bubbles, which on 

 breaking throw out puffs of a highly perfumed smoke, very 

 much resembling that of the purest incense. Mr. Waterton 

 gave me a large piece of it, and when describing the manners 

 and customs of Guiana to my guests I have often gratified 

 them with the fragrant smoke of the Acaiari. The natives 

 sometimes burn lumps of it as torches. 



In his Essays, "Waterton frequently gives disconnected 

 pieces of information which are extremely useful when 

 employed as additions to the Wanderings. Tor example, 

 when treating of the trade winds, he makes the following 

 remarks on the acaiari gum : — 



" In Guiana there is a tree called Hayawa ; it produces a 

 deliciously-smelling resin, fit for incense. When the Indians 

 stop on the banks of a river for the night, they are much in 

 the habit of burning this resin for its fine and wholesome 

 scent. It is found in a hard and lumpy state, all down the 

 side of the tree from which it has oozed. It is also seen on 

 the foot of the tree, and incorporated with the sand. 



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