THE COMHTI, OR TAQHIARI ROCK. 
Latitude, 4° 53' N. Longitude, 58° 53' W, 
IN about the fifth parallel of latitude, two ranges of mountains, the Akaiwanna and Twasinki, project into the river Essequibo on 
each side, and cause its general direction for about six miles to assume the form of an S. In this distance are three falls, the most 
formidable of which, named Yukurit or Cumakatoto, is caused by a dyke of stratified granite, crossing the river in a north and south 
direction, over which the water, hastened by previous rapids, and narrowed by projecting rocks, precipitates itself with violence. The 
surrounding mountains recede, and form an amphitheatre, affording a highly picturesque scene. 
The Comuti, or Taquiari mountains, the southernmost of this group, have received their name from a remarkable pile of large 
granitic boulders, so placed as to resemble a water-jar, called Comuti by the Arawaak Indians, and Taquiari by the Caribs. Cir- 
cumstances prevented us from ascending the hill during our first expedition up the river Essequibo ; but when our further explorations 
led us a second time up that stream, we halted at the foot of the Comuti mountain, and commenced its ascent. When we had 
climbed for about half an hour, we arrived at a comparatively level place, overgrown with numerous Seperi trees. The hill became 
steeper, and we soon after reached the granitic pile, which has given a name to these hills, and which is about a hundred and fifty 
feet below the summit. We were, however, told by our guides, if we ascended somewhat higher we might attain a huge block, from 
the top of which the view was much more extensive. By means of two bushropes, the name given to the lianas, or large creepers, 
which were trailing against the rock, and to which sticks were tied in a horizontal direction, we reached, as by a ladder, the top of the 
block, and one of the loveliest prospects was stretched out before us. 
So enchanting was this view, that I was at a loss where to commence in order not to overlook any object in the lovely picture ; 
but as if by a charm, my eyes were fixed for some time on two gigantic piles of granite which rose before me, perhaps the monuments 
of some convulsion of nature. What are the famed piles of the Hartz mountains, what the celebrated pedestal of the statue of Peter I, 
if compared with these which I now saw ! On the left rose the pile, called by the Indians, Comuti, consisting of three huge blocks 
of blue granite ; the second seated upon the lower one by only three supporting points ; the third has entirely the shape of a large jar, 
and is covered by a fourth, rather flat. These two latter have been likened by the Indians to a jar with its cover, and so striking 
is the resemblance, that it does not require much vivacity of imagination to detect it, nor does it lose its resemblance by being viewed 
from the river or its immediate vicinity. The second pile, of pyramidical shape, was on our right, and is called Kamai. We stood 
on the third pile, which, by measurement, I found afterwards to be one hundred and sixty feet high. The two other piles appeared 
inaccessible ; but their height no doubt surpasses the one we measured. At our feet extended a beautiful landscape ; to the south the 
Makarapan mountains arrested the eye ; to the eastward, the abrupt peak of the Maccari, resembling the gable end of a gigantic building, 
was not to be mistaken, for the sun’s rays were reflected on its white rocks ; to the south-west meandered the river Siparuni, while at 
our feet, the Essequibo, dividing into numerous branches studded with islands and rocks, lost itself amidst the dense forest. The large 
cataracts were perspicuous by their white foam ; and the uproar caused by the turbulent waters of the one at our feet was even audible 
at the height at which we stood; it sounded like breakers on a lee shore. The hills of Akaiwanna were opposite to us, a dark cloud, 
which dissolved itself into rain on their eastern peak, heightened the effect, and a column of smoke pointed out the Indian habitations, 
which we had left the preceding day. The Arissaro hills, distant upwards of fifty miles to the north, appeared as if enveloped 
in a veil. 
We fired our muskets while we stood on the rock, and were answered by the guns of the party which had remained in the 
camp below ; their report reverberated through the mountains, but our’s appeared almost lost, there being no object to return the sound. 
The echo at the foot of mount Comuti is beautiful, and perhaps one of the most distinct in the river Essequibo. The sun had set 
when I was obliged to leave “the giants of the hill,” as Mr. Waterton, in his amusing “Wanderings,” has so appropriately termed 
these heaps of granite. 
So attractive and charming was the view, that on my return, in 1839, from my last expedition, I gladly availed myself of the 
opportunity of revisiting these interesting piles, in order once more to enjoy the prospect which they afforded. On our ascent, one of 
the Carib Indians who accompanied me, pointed out, on a large granitic block, some Indian “ picture writing,” which we had not 
previously observed. Its lines were more regular, and there was more symmetrical arrangement in it than I had generally observed 
