65 
R. Schomburgk^ Dr. Phil. 
to 130° in tlie minute. After twenty minutes we were unable 
to recognize our favorite, so changed were her features ; the 
power of speech she had already lost when vomiting blood. 
During the time this happened the snake had been killed by 
the Indians. It was probable that when I jumped from the 
bank towards the stone I had touched the reptile, and it made 
the attack on poor Kate, who was close to me ; unless Kate 
had disturbed it. The snake was lying close on the bank, 
coiled together, with erected head, making ready for a 
renewed attack — clearly showing the assertion that a snake, 
after the first attack will take to flight, is incorrect. The 
snake was one of the most poisonous vipers, Trigonocephalus 
atrox, and had just cast its skin, during which time snakes 
are considered to be most dangerous. The Indian called it 
Sororaima Fourteen Indians and Mr. Goodall, the artist of 
the expedition, had passed the snake without observing or 
touching it, and poor Kate was the victim. Under Dr. 
Fryer’s charge the poor woman was carried back in her 
hammock to our camp, which she left in the morning in joy 
and happiness. The look we gave her, who was now lying 
before us unconscious, we knew only too well was the last. 
In what state of mind we, and especially myself, who had so 
nearly escaped death, is easier to be felt than described. It 
was a long time before a word was uttered by any of the 
company, or the Indians. Thoughts were occupied with that 
which had just happened. 
After half an hour’s walk, we again stood on the bank of 
the River Kukenam, which we had to cross. The water 
reached to our chests, and we had to use all our strength to 
prevent being carried away by the rapid current. We fol- 
lowed now the easterly bank for some time. Pretty shrubs 
abounded, consisting of Termtroemia, Tavomita, Go7nphia, with 
the beautiful Dimoyphandray the noble Mauritia palm, and a 
number of other plants new to me. We were now 3,600 feet 
above the level of the sea, yet this splendid palm showed the 
same vigor and luxuriant growth as on the savannas of the 
River Rupununi and Takutu. After an hour’s travel (our 
course was towards north), we ascended a small table-land, 
and before us was spread the curving chain of mountains in 
its all-imposing majesty, without the bases as formerly, which, 
being hidden by hills, excluding the whole view from us. 
In smaller or wider stripes we could see the grassy spots 
extending from the foot nearly to where the gigantic, per- 
E 
