XXVII 
INDIAN ROCK-PICTURES 
A few miles from the upper mouth of the Casi- 
quiari a stream called Calipo enters it where there 
is some picture-writing that was covered with water 
when I passed up ; but when I returned (on Janu- 
ary 6, 1854) the Casiquiari had lowered 2 feet, and 
at the mouth of the Cano Calipo a good many 
figures were laid bare, all of which I copied. The 
figures on Fig. 19 have the same relative posi- 
tions and distances as on the rock, and apparently 
FiG. 19. — Group of Pictures on Right Bank of the Casiquiari, 
A LITTLE ABOVE THE CaNO DE CaLIPO. 
represent a family group, whereof my interpreter 
assured me that H symbolised a chief, and that 
the figures on the right were his three wives 
and a child, the principal wife being distinguished 
by the plume worn on her head. The curious 
figures on the left may perhaps be meant for the 
prehensile -tailed Iguanas, which being very good 
food would be of especial interest. 
The other group (Fig. 20) repeats the symbol 
of a chief (at H H), with some four-footed animal, 
perhaps a dog, on the left. The rest are probably 
household goods of some kind. 
Picture-writing is frequent throughout the granite 
district of the Casiquiari, but I have nowhere seen 
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