TfiE Poorer the Eauna, the Richer the Flora. 199 
of the curious Prionus ccrviconius and a quantity of beautiful Buprcstis 
were present amongst tlie insects. 
451. The poorer the results of my zoological excursions, the richer 
was I compensated by the flora. The heights of the neiglibouring moun- 
tains and the little streams were mostly covered with the most beautiful 
plant forms.* The summits and slopes of the mountains surrounding us, 
the banks and beds of tlie rivers, showed tliroughout a variegated sand- 
stone of very brittle quality which spread partly in horizontal layers, 
partly with a dip from South to East. Here and there in the river-beds 
there also appeared liorizontal strata of a pebbly thick red sandstone, 
upon which there rested a jasper rubble of all sizes and colours: even 
the red jasper that I saAv at Rue-imcru Fall, Avas found in it. I counted 
seven different colours, besides yet another pretty variegated banded kind 
which in its colouring corresponded exactly with Siberian jasper and 
upon our return was regarded as such . Isolated pieces of jasper as largf* 
as one's fist lay around u]>on the savannah : they were used by the Indians 
as flint-stones, and assiduously collected by our Macusis. Large beds of 
clay containing a rich pel)bly-earth, weathered jasper and felspar stretch- 
ed through the savannah itself. 
The rich fairy-like Avealth of vegetation and wildly romantic 
mountain massif often formed valleys which were overwhelmed with a 
loveliness that held even the Indians, less susceiJtible to the beauties of 
nature, spellbound. The discovery of a new Paradise always formed a 
most enjoyable break in the journey during my botanical excursions. 1 
shall never forget the charming surprise 1 got one day Athile botanising 
on the wooded base of Erematuru Avheu I stood unexpectedly at the en- 
trance of a deep gorge down Avhich a small torrent, in a hundred cas- 
cades was scurrying to the Kukenam. Thick beds of a deep red sandstone 
came into^ view on the bottom of the stream as well as on both sides of 
the valley wall to form, here perpendicular precipices, and there terrace- 
like steps which were stocked with high grasses, luxuriant clusters of 
bambu and tree-ferns: slender palms either raised their proud heads 
above the latter, or bent them over the noisy cataract. The isolated rocky 
.boulders, that emerged above the Avater were thickly covered Avlth moss, 
small delicate ferns, and Jioigcnnanniae, while treeferns, Diksonia, 
Cijathea and Alsophila huug from the walls of the ravine over the cleft 
in eveiy nook and formed the most fascinating foliage-covering that 
fancy could create. It Avas through this mysterious gloom — for the sun- 
shine sought in vain to pierce the Avealth of vegetation and enjoy the 
pleasures of the cooling stream — that the sparkling Avatei- balilded, 
rustled and splashed away Avith its alluring song, the notes of which 
were only silenced Avlien, on reaching the valley of the Kukenam, it 
finally ended its life-story. Huge trees with their straight smooth stately 
* I mention hut Kiflineycra angusfifolia. Bonnet ia sessiUs, Ternstromia rubicinida. T. punctata 
Sw., Clethra guianensiii \\\ot^t^c\\ Isertia hijpoleuca Beiitll., Ocotea guianen.si,s X\l\A., Oonijjhia dura, 
Qualea rosea, J'octii/.iia giiianensia, I'.tetrapliyila. l^. Srhomburt/kiana K.\oi/,»c\\, Xho/iata nuaveolens. 
It. Scho7nbur[ikii, Klolzsull., Andripetalum seatiilifolia KlotzscL, Calopli yllum lucidum Bentli., 
Dimorphandra macrostachi/a, Clusia insigins,C. rosea, C. microcarpa, C. macropoda, Klotzgcb. 
Caraipa laxißora Benth., C. leiant/ia Benth., Guatfcria eloitga/a Bontli., Cali/coplii/llunt coccineum 
Beutll,, RondeleLia capitata, SSahuicea. velulina Beuill., I'syckotria hyptoides Benth, 
