1(51 



back of the Equinoctial Cordilleras no doubt 

 dreaded a descent into burning- plains bristled 

 with forests, and inundated by the periodical 

 swellings of rivers. It is easy to conceive how 

 much the force of vegetation, and the nature of 

 the soil and climate, within the torrid zone, 

 embarrassed the natives in regard to migration 

 in numerous bodies, prevented settlements re- 

 quiring an extensive space, and perpetuated the 

 misery and barbarism of solitary hordes. 



The feeble civilization introduced in our days 

 by the Spanish monks pursues a retrograde 

 course. Father Gili relates, that, at the time of 

 the expedition to the boundaries, agriculture be- 

 gan to make some progress on the banks of the 

 Oroonoko ; and that cattle, especially goats, 

 had multiplied considerably at Maypures. We 

 found none, either in the mission, or in any 

 other village of the Oroonoko ; the goats had 

 been devoured by the tigers. The black and 

 white breed of pigs only, the latter of which are 

 called French pigs, puercos jfranceses, because 

 they are believed to have come from the Caribbee 

 islands, have resisted the pursuit of wild beasts. 

 We saw with much pleasure guacamayas, or 

 tame macaws, round the huts of the Indians, 

 and flying to the fields like our pigeons. This 

 bird is the largest and most majestic species of 

 parrot with naked cheeks, that we found in our 

 travels. It is called in Maratibitan, cahuei. 



vol. v. M 



