RO RAIMA. 
15 
and a half inches in diameter, also of a beautiful purple. Another plant of great interest was a new genus of Pitcher plant, the 
Heliamphora nutans, with radical leaves, and a hollow, urn-shaped petiole open at the top, the lamina forming a small concave lid, which 
differs however from that of the Nepenthes in not closing over the pitcher, or urn-shaped petiole. The scape bears a loose raceme 
of from two to six nodding flowers, sometimes white, sometimes tinged with rose colour. Of no less interest is a Cypripedium and 
a Cleistia, the latter with deep scarlet flowers and stem, and purple leaves, growing by the side of the Utricularia and Pitcher 
plant. We found another species of Sobralia, differing from the S. Elizabetha in its having sheathing, hairy leaves, and the labellum 
and petals being of a bright pink. 
The execution of our design to reach the large cascade, which the Indians called Kamaiba, was no easy task ; the surprising strength 
of vegetation, and the entanglement of trees and creepers, only permitted us to advance slowly, and numerous craggy precipices, which 
we were forced to descend by means of lianas and ladders of roots, even presented dangers. A humid vapour appears to be here 
constantly held in suspension, and the rays of the sun are scarcely admitted through the thick canopy of foliage. The trunks of 
the trees are thickly clothed with Mosses and Lichens. The Arums and Pothos, almost gigantic in size, Uranias, Heliconias, arborescent 
Ferns, in appearance more resembling the stately Palm than the Fern of our northern countries, and numerous Alpinias contested 
for the possession of the soil which had gathered between large blocks of a black colour, their surface also aflording a peculiar 
vegetation of Orchidese, Gesnerias, Peperomias, and numerous succulent plants, all attesting the humidity of the spot. Large trees, 
rooted in the clefts, and overhanging the glens, added to the sombre character of the scene. An oppressive solitude prevailed ; there 
was no sign of animal life; only the noise of falling waters was heard, which served as a guide to direct our steps thither. We 
had continued our dangerous path for several hours, sometimes ascending, sometimes descending almost perpendicular clifls by means 
of the roots of herbaceous plants, or those natural ropes formed by the Bauhinia tribe, when the thunder-clouds which had been 
threatening, passed the mountains and enveloped us almost in darkness; the rain fell in torrents, and thunder and wind appeared 
to vie with the cataract in producing the greatest uproar. The forest opened, and, as if it had been called forth by magic, a 
perpendicular wall stood before us, from which the Kamaiba, swelled by the torrents of rain, precipitated itself with a thundering 
noise into a spacious basin below. The whole environs seemed as if enveloped in foam, and the gusts of wind which accompanied 
the storm raised the froth before it in flakes. The summit of the wall was perfectly hidden from us ; even the cliff opposite the one 
on which we stood was only seen occasionally as through a veil, illuminated by vivid flashes of lightning. Numerous blocks, 
apparently torn from these gigantic walls, which were lying in great confusion around, conveyed the possibility that a similar accident 
might now occur, an idea which was strengthened by the uproar of the elements ; and the danger of being near to these clifls was so 
fully impressed on me, that instead of enjoying this romantic scene, I felt oppressed, and a wish to escape from it. It appeared 
to have communicated a similar feeling to my companions, for not a word was spoken ; the Indians squatted on the ground 
and looked dispirited; indeed every one appeared to feel relieved when I gave orders for our return. This, however, was not 
done before we descended to the basin, and had tried the temperature of the water*, which we found to be 56 Fahr., that of the 
air being then 61° Fahr. The perpendicular wall of Roraima, whence Kamaiba falls from the summit, had been ascertained 
from Arawayam to be fifteen hundred feet high, it therefore surpasses in height the celebrated Staubbach in the Swiss Alps, 
which is nine hundred French feet, and presented, at the time of our visit, a real cascade, not a mere precipitation of mist. 
In height it surpassed the Cascade de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees by nearly two hundred feet, which has been hitherto considered 
the highest, being one thousand two hundred and sixty-six French feet. 1 estimated the breadth of the fall at about seventy 
yards. Of the extent of the arc which this mass of water formed in its descent I could not judge ; the basin which received 
it might have been compared to a vast cauldron, the water foaming and bubbling within it with uproarious noise. 
Turbulently pushing itself a way through the numerous blocks which fill the bed of the mountain stream, it continues for a 
few hundred yards, and, approaching another cliff, it precipitates itself a second time, down a height of about one hundred and 
twenty feet *. 
We returned by the path which we had partly cut through the thick wood on our way, and the continued rain and 
low temperature chilled us completely. When we issued from the wood and again approached the mountain savannah, we found 
ourselves perfectly enveloped in clouds, driven rapidly across by gusts of wind, and the thermometer fell to 57 Fahr. Once or 
twice it partially cleared, and we observed a sunny landscape within a few miles from the foot of the mountain ; the thunder-storm 
was therefore perfectly local. 
Roraima is the most eastern, and the highest of this remarkable group of mountains, the greatest extent of which between 
* The geological character of this cliff is sandstone, with grains of quartz and particles of decomposed felspar, and is so compact and hard that I found it 
difficult to break off' any specimens, nevertheless the water had likewise here hollowed out a large basin for itself. The perpendicular high walls aie of similar 
structure, the sandstone is however of a finer grain. 
