9 
R. Schonihurgk\ Dr. Phil. 
behold a labyrinth of trees of gigantic proportions which 
astonish and overawe him, garnished with a dome of foliage 
that darkens the atmosphere, and renders it intolerably 
heavy and gloomy. Lianes of immense thickness entwine 
with giant arm these trunks, and ramp to the highest 
branches, where they crown these giants ; then again grow 
down from this giddy height on to the smaller trees, the 
branches of which they entwine, and so fetter one tree to the 
other with a network, and hold in their strong arms those 
giants standing close on the banks of the rivers, whose secure 
position is often undermined by the rapid streams, thus pre- 
venting their sudden fall ; but should such a giant succumb, 
by his fall he will carry all the trees entwined by the same 
lianes with him to destruction. 
The importance of the Mora for the marine, which my late 
brother had already pointed out in his first travels, has been 
confirmed since. On the upper Barima this valuable tree is 
found in such numbers, and of such immense size, that the 
trees growing near the banks of the river alone would be 
suflicient to supply a whole fleet with material. The wood 
is so close and cross-grained that it is difiicult to split it ; it 
is considered by the most competent judges to be superior to 
oak, as it is not subject to the dry rot. 
With the appearance of these giants the vegetation near 
the banks assumed a new character — trees, flowers, fruits, 
not before seen surrounded me. Amongst these new forms 
were magnificent flowers of the Brownea racemosa, Jacq. I 
fear no artist is born yet who could produce on paper what 
nature has lavished on this dazzling favorite of hers. The 
elegant form of the pretty tree, by the brilliancy of its foliage, 
the abundance of large, indescribable, tenderly-formed flowers 
glowing with such dazzling color that the eye can scarcely 
bear their sparkling fire ; every part combines to captivate 
admiration — even when the flowers have disappeared the 
large red legumes offer a pretty picture. 
Although the Broimea belongs to quite a different order 
of plants, and its flowers differ from those of the rose, 
I cannot find a more appropriate name for it than The 
Bose of the Tropics.” The large wax-like white flower 
of the Qustavia fastuosa, Willd. and Clusias, increased 
the preponderating charm. The banks bordered with the 
sixty to eighty feet high wall-like vegetation, which could 
be compared to a gigantic clipped hedge, over which hung 
