Cherry Cordial. 
727. Two miles above tlie moutli of tliq Waruwaii and also on tlie 
eastern bank, there opens into the Kupuuuni, the Bakurua Avhich would 
give a second waterway to AVatu^-Ticaba were it not that on account of 
the many cataracts it is impassable. As Ave could get many lailes 
nearer to ,Watu-Ticaba by the ,Waruwau or Awarra, Ave commenced 
pulling up the latter in( spite of the innumerable difüculties that we had 
to contend Avith. It Avas ouly with the help of the axe that it was 
possible to clear a miserable passage for the boats. In brotherly 
fashion the trees on both banks clasped their, limbs in one another, and 
prevented even the most inquisitiA^e sun's rays ifrom peeping through the 
thick texture of tops and twigs. Creepers, orchids and ferns in excep- 
tional abundance covered the old itree-trunks with a trickling felt, while 
the delicate young roseate leaves of Elimhetha, coccinca formed pretty 
ibreaks in the sombre foliage. The ripe fruits of a Eufffnia, which in 
size aud taste bore much resemldance to our sweet black cherries, sup- 
])lied us Europeans Avith a grand cordial. The Indians collected the 
fruits of the Maiiritia fJc.cuosa which, wherever the saA'annah reached 
the bank, it decked in picturesque groups. It was soon a matter of 
impossibility to proceed any more with the boats: an insunnountable 
cataract already thnndered from the distance, "So far, but no farther." 
72S. We liinded at llie spot bir ttic overland branch-off to the village 
where the chief, Avho had started witli ,liis ]">eople at daybreak on the road 
across the savannah, was awaiting us. 
720. Tnnnmerable granite rocks, often 80 to 100 ft. high, heaped one 
upon the (other in the most bizarre and extraordinary fashions, and 
wreathed around with Clusia, Gc^no^ki, OrclMea, Tillanösia, Cactus 
and AlrJocactiis, crossed the stream and the savannah in all directions. 
However much I was attracted by the picturesque and wonderfnlly 
pretty landscape, my whole frame nevertheless trembled with horror on 
noticing amongst the Avanton wealth of vegetation that dangerously 
irritant plant, Cnido-^coJiis Mareurai ii, that had given me so many a 
painful hour on the Zuruma. Its dangerous properties seemed here to 
have driven even other plants out of its neighbourhood, because it alone 
occupied the terrain upon Avhich it was fonnd. After Ave had unloaded 
our boats and arranged! the baggage for land transport, night fell and 
with it again intense rain which did not cease until 11 o'clock next 
moi-ning. Daybreak brought us still more villagers from Watn-Ticaba 
who wanted to help carrA^ our goods. 
780. As I had to return to ^Ieorgeto^^•n from here again, Ave had 
already been bnilding since yesterday a substantial shed, Avhere I left 
my collections and other objects which would not be required during 
our stay in the yillage. Precautions were taken against the rain: but 
against thieving hands they would be even as safe, if not safer, than in 
the most substantial warehouse. Towards 11 o'clock we wended our 
way to the village in lirioht snnshine. The huge masses of granite now 
became mighty charcoal heaps, for hardly had the sun cast its scorching 
rays upon the wetted rocks than they gave rise to thick clouds of steam 
which lent quite a peculiar character to the entire surroundings. I liad 
