GUIANA. 479 



between the tropics. It receives the full benefit of the trade wind, which in these lafiludes 

 constantly blows from the east. A stream of cool air is, therefore, continually poured upon 

 these shores, after having traversed the sea for thousands of miles. The country is subject to 

 heavy and frequent rains, and, from the great prevalence of moisture and heat, is unhealihy. 



5. Soil and J^atural Productions. The soil is surprisingly fertile, and a most luxuriant 

 vegetation almost everywhere overspreads the country, which abounds with the finest woods, 

 fruits, and plants. Many of the trees grow to the height of 100 feet. Some are valuable for 

 their peculiar hardness and durability ; others are richly veined, capable of taking the finest 

 polish, and well adapted for all sorts of ornamental furniture ; while others yield valuable dyes, 

 or exude balsamic and medicinal oils. The most delicious fi'uits are met with. The guava 

 and aviago pear are found in great abundance, and the pine apples and other fruits are oi' the 

 finest quality. 



6. Animals. Wild aninials and beasts of prey are abundant, and are similar to those of the 



other South American territories. 

 In the rivers are to be found the 

 cayman, the tapir, the manati, the 

 paca, and the pipa. Of the sei pent 

 tribe there are various species, from 

 the large aboma snake, which grows 

 to the length of 20 and 30 feet, to 

 those of the smallest size. The 

 woods of Guiana abound with every 

 variety of the feathered species. 

 The vampire bat is also found, and 

 grows to an enormous size. Insects 

 and reptiles of all sorts are produced 

 in such abundance, that the annoy- 

 ance from this source is inconcei- 

 vable. 



7. Face of the Country. The 

 country is level and uniform, along 

 the seashore. In the interior, it rises into mountains, which frequently contain a great variety 

 of mineral substances. Rich and fertile valleys are interspersed throughout these mountainous 

 tracts. 



8. Cayenne. French Guiana, or Cayenne, extends to a great distance inland, but the Inte- 

 rior is occupied by independent Indians. The population of the portion actually inhabited by 

 the French, does not exceed 25,000, of which 20,000 are slaves, 2,250 free colored persons, 



, 1,300 whites, and the remainder Indians. The principal town and capital of the colony is 

 Cayenne., situated on a small island, with a good harbor. Population, 3,000. Simiamari is a 

 small village, celebrated as the place to which many distinguished men were transported during 

 the French revolution. 



9. Surinam. Dutch Guiana, or Surinam, is the most flourishing of the colonies of Guiana. 

 The part occupied by the Dutch lies along the coast, and the industry of that persevering peo- 

 ple has drained the unhealthy marshes, and cut several navigable canals in this quarter. The 

 population of the colony is about 60,000, mostly slaves. In the interior, beside the independent 

 Indians, there are 3 independent establishments of Maroons, or runaway slaves, who were for a 

 long time at war with the wliites ; but in 1809, the latter having concluded a treaty of peace 

 with them, recognising their independence, they have since been on amicable terms with each 

 other. Paramaribo., the capital, stands on the Surinam, about 25 miles from its mouth, ft is 

 well built and prettily laid out, with a good harbor and an extensive commerce. The streets 

 are lined with orange, lemon, and tamarind trees, and the houses are generally neat and sur- 

 rounded by gardens. Population, 20,000. One of its suburbs. Savanna., is entirely inhabited 

 by Jews, who have a synagogue here. 



10. Demerara and Berbice. English Guiana consists of the two colonies of Demerara with 

 Essequibo, and Berbice. The former has a population of 74,922, including 71,916 free blacks. 

 Georgetown., formerly Stabroek, the capital, is a flourishing place, with 10,000 inhabitants. 

 Berbice comprises 21,580 inhabitants, of whom 21,010 are free blacks. JYeio Amsterdam, ihe 

 capital, is a small town. 



Serpent of Guiana. 



