ITINERARY. XXXIll 



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

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

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

 slippery 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, utterly pumped out. It was altogether a painful 

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

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

 when the baskets oould 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, forming h^re an 

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

 floor. 



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

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

 is some forty yards wide. We cros."ied in a very rovigh and cranky 

 d\ig-out, three or four at a time, and were glad that even this insecure 

 craft was available. It required a very cai-etul balance, and the strokes 

 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 therefore very unstable. 



In the map in Vol. I. the upper course of the river i.s not shown. 

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

 towards the northern end of the eastern wall, as from a .spout low down 

 below the line of the edge, the water falling quite clear of the side after 

 rain has fallen heavily. It passes eastwards between Marima and 

 Waitipu (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 branch 

 of that river much farther north, 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 many 

 miles before turning south-west to Roraima. 



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

 small settlement with a provision-field, through which we passed where 

 there were no obstructions. The path led along the river through low 

 forest, and later passed across one of the terrible, overgrown, abandoned 

 clearings that was even worse tha.n the first, its thick overgrowth being 

 closely bound 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 people were very hospitable, and, following the usual custom, 

 brought out cassava bread and pepper-pot and quantities of paiwarri 



