2ii The Lakgest Comet the World had yet Sees'. 
whole of the residents gathered in front of it. Without reflecting any 
further — for a few loud remarks from Mr. Goodall had already notified 
us that we had been observed — we threw mattock, spade, and skeleton in 
the bushes, and came to meet the waiting group with the assurance that 
we had not found the jaguar we were after. It was lucky that a thick 
cloud just at that moment .crossed the moon, for otherwise our fright- 
ened features would have at all events betrayed that we intended evil. At 
mid-night we both made a search for the skeleton in the brushAVood: in 
the meantime I was glad when the wicked work was finally and successr 
fully accomplished. With a real light heart I started next day on my 
trip to the Canuku Eauges where I proposed collecting young specimens 
or fruits of all palms present with a view to planting, because the fruits 
of the Maximiliana, Maaritia and Astrocuri/uiiv Tuvuma that had been 
placed l)y me in roughly packed boxes before my departure to Koraima 
liad sprouted splendidly and were growing up fine. 
558. Heavily laden, I returned in eight days, put some new boxes 
together, and planted my collection out, wliich also soon began to nour- 
ish and compensated me for the loss of many another living plant. 
559. Amongst such activities March Avas ushered in, and Major 
Coellio, under the impression that my brother had already returned from 
Georgetown, surprised us Avith a fresh visit. It was the 4th March when, 
after partaking of our frugal evening meal in company with the Major, 
we were engaged in active conversation outside the door of our quarters, 
and Mv. Fryer had asked us to look in tlie direction of A\^.S.W., that we 
observed a broad Avhite nebular streak which inclined toAvards the hori- 
zon and rose to an altitude of 45°. For several days past the skies had 
been coA'cred with clouds that had hidden the stars. An isolated bank 
of cloud that rose in the east and was tracking for the we^t soon hid in 
part the Avhite streak in question that still remained visible in between 
the breaking masses of A^apour and tlius afforded the clearest evidence 
that it must occupy a higher altitude than the clouds Avhich uoav and 
again concealed it. Opinions as to its being a meteor that was seen 
remained divided to-day. On the following evening, however, we recog- 
nised pliiiniy that we had to admire one of the largest comets, that had 
y"i: set die Avorbl ablaze Avith fear and fright. We found the nucleus to 
be about 12 degrees aboA^e the horizon, while its tail extended up to star 
V of l*]ridauns, which appv-'ared at an approximate altitude of 15°. The 
broadest portion of the nucleus might amount to 1° 10' and lost itself 
in the constellation just mentioned. Neither Mr. Goodall, Mr. Fiyer, nor 
Tiedge rememl)ered ever having seen a comet of such size l>efore. While 
we were watching the sublime phenomenon in profound astonishment, it 
si^read amongst the Indians a real ]>anic of terror. Like a large propor- 
tion of Europeans they are Avont to see in a comet the sig-n and fore- 
runner of pestilence, famine, and calamity, at which we were not a little 
surprised. This superstitions fear expressed itself espee/ially somewhat 
vividly some days subsequently to its ascent, when several parties of 
strangers l>rought us produce from their provision-fields, and the village 
once more developed scenes of greater activity than Avas ordinarily the 
case. ÜvToAV, when night fell, and the comet Avas visible, everybody, man, 
W^oman and child, came out in front of their quarters and stretched out 
