INTRODUCTION 
THAT part of Guiana, belonging to 
the Dutch, which is under the go- 
vernment of the Weft-India Company, is 
perhaps the leaft known to naturalifts, 
though of all South America it is that, with- 
out doubt, which prefents the moft curious 
and extraordinary produdions of every kind. 
Situated under the fcorching climate of the 
torrid zone, five degrees north of the line^ 
this country, ftill enveloped by the cruft of 
time, conceals, if I may fo exprefs Ir, the 
focus where nature forms her exceptions to 
thofe general rules which fhe feems to have 
eftabhftied. Extenduig ak)ng the coaft 
about an hundred leagues, its breadth is 
almoft unlimited. Here the river Surinam 
rolls its majeftic ftream : and upon its left 
bank, three miles from the fea, rifes Parama- 
ribo, the principal place of this vaft colony ; 
thefpot wherel was born, and the fceneof my 
B infant 
