124 



and want of commerce in the missions of the 

 Oroonoko, I shall observe, that during three 

 years, with the exception of the boats sent an- 

 nually to Angostura by the commander of San 

 Carlos du Rio Negro, to fetch the pay of the 

 soldiers, the missionary had seen but five canoes 

 of the Upper Oroonoko pass the cataract, which 

 were bound for the harvest of turtles' eggs, and 

 eight boats laden with merchandize. 



April the 17th. After three hours' march, we 

 reached our boat about eleven in the morning. 

 Father Zea caused to be embarked, with our 

 instruments, the small store of provision, that he 

 had been able to procure for the voyage, which 

 he was going to continue with us ; they consisted 

 of a few bunches of plantains, some cassava, and 

 fowls. At the embarcadero we immediately 

 passed the mouth of the Cataniapo*, a small 

 river, the banks of which, at three days' journey 

 distance, are inhabited by the Macoes, or Pia- 

 roas, who belong to the great family of the Sali- 

 va nations. We have had occasion above, to 

 praise their mildness, and their disposition for 

 agricultural labours-}-. 



Beside the Piaroas of Cataniapo, who pierce 

 their ears in order to place in them the teeth of 

 caimans and pecaris, three other tribes of Ma- 



* Cateniapu, or Catiniapo. 

 f See p. 15, of this volume. 



