THE RIVER TROMBETAS 97 
tree, not unlike the Cacao, and with similar long 
veiny leaves, tapering at both ends, the lower ones 
borne on very long stalks. The flowers, which 
grow in clusters on the naked stem and branches, 
have the tubular corolla mottled with brown and 
yellow, and its segments rolled back like ram's 
horns. The enlarged calyx forms a cup to the 
fruit, like that of an acorn. The other plant is a 
Calathea, with large Maranta-like leaves, and 
yellow Crocus- like flowers from the root : it 
covered the top of a sandy hill, under the 
trees, where the cuti'as or agoutis had burrowed 
extensively. 
Everywhere grew noble trees — Bertholletise, 
Lecythides, Icicae, Licaniae, etc., and above all 
various Lauracese, including the Itailba [i.e. Stone 
tree), which yields the hardest and most durable 
wood for shipbuilding. Scarcely any of them, 
however, were in flower ; but near our encamp- 
ment I got a few of the humbler trees in good 
state. Very frequent was Nonatelia guianensis, 
Aubl., a handsome Rubiaceous tree, with ample 
opposite leaves ; tubular flowers, red at the base, 
yellow upwards, and rather shorter than those of 
the honeysuckle ; and small many- ribbed fruits, 
looking externally not unlike those of the hemlock. 
It is found scattered all through French and 
Brazilian Quay ana. Swartzia grandifolia, Boug., 
the Mira-pishuna or Black tree of the Brazilians, 
we had seen all along the banks of the Aripecurii. 
It grows to a large tree, and its dark-coloured and 
durable wood is much esteemed for cabinet-work. 
The leaves are pinnate, with the midrib winged 
between the leaflets, like that of an Inga. The 
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