28 
Botanical Reminiscences, 
landing place, towards the north, we should find a Macusi 
settlement named Torong-Yauwise (bird^s nose), it was re- 
solved to bring our baggage there and thence continue our 
long and tedious journey to the Roraima mountains. 
We were busy unloading the boats when our attention was 
called to a number of Indians standing on a high rock, about 
half a mile distant, and watching our proceedings. All signs 
to them to come to us were fruitless until we sent the inter- 
preter, Sororeng, to inform them of our friendly intentions. 
After a short palaver three Indians returned with him, but 
the others remained motionless on the rock until they saw 
the friendly reception of their friends, when the whole troupe 
came moving towards us, followed by some old women 
carrying baskets of bread, and large vessels filled with some 
liquid. 
These were part of the inhabitants of Torong-Yauwise, 
who had been informed of our visit. The chief, an old and 
intelligent man, promised every assistance, and invited us to 
stay a while in the village. 
The cassava bread and contents of the vessel were a welcome 
present, although the liquid, which had the color of lime 
water, and which they called also kasiri,^’ was not at all 
agreeable to our European taste, though relished by the 
Indians. 
^ On the 9th of October we forwarded the remainder of our 
luggage to Torong-Yauwise, and followed in company of the 
old chief. After crossing the River Waikueh, our road led 
us over isolated hills and through pleasant valleys, until we 
again reached the summit of a hill, and spread out before us 
lay a large plain, which had the appearance of a cemetery, 
with numerous monuments ; reaching the place, we seemed 
walking across the graves of a departed race, but instead of 
tombstones we found only flat pieces of granite, some pro- 
jecting from the ground in upright position, and others lying 
flat on the ground. It was a great pity that our interpreter 
had gone before us, as we were thus unable to understand the 
traditions connected with this peculiar region of rocks, com- 
municated to us in an uninterrupted harangue by the old 
chieftain, of which we only understood a few sentences now 
and then. 
Leaving this remarkably curious valley, rich in traditions, 
we ascended a chain of wooded hills, in descending the slope 
we passed through the provision grounds of the inhabitants 
