478 



GUIANA. 



the largest sea-bird known, sometimes weighing 28 pounds. Tlie plumage is white, with the 

 exception of some blaclc bands on the back ; it is seen in the stormy sohtudes of the Southern 

 Ocean, accompanjnng ships for whole days without ever resting on the waves. Notwithstand- 

 ing their great strength, however, they never venture to attack other sea-birds ; but are, on the 

 contrary, attacked by the gulls. The penguins [Jlplenodytes Magellanica) ^ half bird and half 

 fish, form long files along the beach like a procession of monks, and sit in great numbers upon 

 the nests, so closely placed together as to form considerable iou'iis, as they are called by the 

 sailors. This bird has merely a sort of finny wings, which it uses as oars in the water, and is 

 wholly unable to fly ; it is so stupid and inactive as to sufier itself to be knocked down with 

 a club, and its upright posture and grave air give it a most ludicrous aspect when ashore. 



CHAPTER LXVII. GUIANA. 



Scene in Guiana, 



1. Boundaries,, Extent^ &c. This country Is bounded N. by the Atlantic Ocean; E. by 

 the Atlantic ; S. by Brazil ; and W. by Colombia and Brazil. It extends from the mouth of 

 the Amazon to that of the Essequibo ; and lies between 1° and 7° N. latitude, and 50"^ and 60'' 

 \V. longitude. The name of Guiana was formerly given to the countiy extending from the 

 Orinoco to the Amazon ; but Spanish Guiana now forms a part of Colombia, and Portuguese 

 Guiana is annexed to Brazil. The rest of the country belongs to the English, Dutch, and 

 French. 



2. Rivers. The country is watered by the tributary streams of the Orinoco and Amazon. 

 'J'he principal rivers which fall directly into the Atlantic, beginning in the north, are the Esse- 

 quibo^ the Demerara, the Berbice,, the Corantine,, the Surinam,, the JMarony,, and Oyapoco. 

 All these rise in the mountains, and are generally navigable for some distance into the interior. 



3. Shores, The coast of Guiana is rendered almost inaccessible by dangerous banks, rocks, 

 quicksands, and bogs. Along the seashore, the country presents the appearance of an exten- 

 sive and uniform plain. It is covered with thick forests, even to the water's edge, and the 

 coast is so low and flat, that nothing is seen at first but the trees, wliich appear to be growing 

 out of the water. 



4. Clhnatr. The climate in xhc mariiime parts is milder tlian that of most other districts 



