I50 NOTES OF A BOTANIST 
to which bridges could be thrown, and a third 
short bridge to the right bank of the river (where 
is a narrow channel, sometimes dry), between the 
large rock and the actual margin, rendered the 
crossing of the river complete. Ordinary floods 
did not reach these bridges, but after long and 
heavy rains they were carried away, the rocks 
supporting them being laid deep under water. 
Yet they sometimes lasted so many months that 
the bamboos began to decay, and have given way 
under people who incautiously attempted to pass 
them. In one of these high floods, some eight 
years ago, the intermediate rock was toppled over, 
and as it now lies it is so much lower than the 
others that it no longer serves to support the 
bridges. From this cause, the Topo has now to 
be passed by four bridges, thrown from the sides to 
three rocks in the water, about 20 yards higher 
up than the ancient site. These rocks are all 
smallish and uneven-topped, and the middle one is 
so low that a very slight flood suffices to render it 
inaccessible. When we reached the margin, this 
rock was barely visible at long intervals, and then 
came surging waves which laid it i to 2 feet under 
water, and would have swept away instantly the 
poles attempted to be laid on it. The Indians 
declared that until this stone should be left un- 
coverec^ there was no hope of getting across ; we 
therefore cast about to make the preparations neces- 
sary for passing the night in this place. So many 
travellers have been detained here by the swollen 
Topo, that the narrow isthmus between the Topo 
and the Shuna has been ransacked of everything 
available for food or shelter. Not a palmito is now 
