432 EXPLANATORY INDEX. 



from several other trees, chiefly the Maam. It is pitchy- 

 black in colour, and when exposed to beat, looks almost 

 exactly like pitch. It is used for many purposes, and is 

 equally useful as a waterproof material or a cement. The 

 seams of canoes are always " payed " with Kurumanni wax. 



L. 



Labaeei. — This snake, which is mentioned by Waterton in 

 his Autobiography, as well as in the Wamderings, is evidently 

 a Graspedocephalus, and allied to the Rattlesnake and Pa-de- 

 Lance. In a letter to me, Waterton states that it often 

 climbs trees. 



Labba, sometimes spelled Lapo {Goelogenys paca). — Allied to 

 the Cavies, of which the common Guinea-pig is so familiar an 

 example. The name Goelogenys, or Hollow-cheek, is given to 

 it on account of its enormously developed cheek-bones, and 

 iJirge cheek-pouches. Its flesh is very delicate, being as rich 

 in fat as tha,t of the Acouri is destitute of it. The mode of 

 hunting the Labba is described by Mr. G. B. Brown in his 

 work on Guiana. 



" The flesh of the Labba is considered the most delicate of 

 all bush animals, and' is therefore much sought after. This 

 ardmal is a rodent about the size of a hare, but with a stouter 

 body, and more rat-like head. It is nocturnal in its habits, 

 spending the day in its burrow under tree-roots near the edges 

 of rivers. These sleeping-chambers are not very long, and 

 have two entrances. The huntsman rams a thin pole in at one 

 end, which startles the occupant, causing it to fly precipitately 

 from the other, like a ball from a cannon, closely followed by 

 the dog. 



" The Labba, when close pressed, takes to the water, and 

 while swimming is hunted down by the Indian sportsman in 

 his wood-skin. Sometimes the animal escapes by diving, and 

 hiding amongst fallen brushwood on the river's edge, but more 

 frequently falls a victim to the arrow of the Indian." 



