240 TlMEHRI. 
the way. But this is such hard work that few would 
ever attempt it, and if they did so could hardly find 
anything even at a few score yards. A tree might be 
seen from the bateau, but from the deep-cutting-like 
track, opened out as they press forward, nothing save 
the sky above is visible, and hardly any task is so diffi- 
cult as to find a way where there is no conspicuous 
obje6t in view. Even with the compass a straight line 
is almost impossible. The jungle nearly closes as you 
pass, hemming you in on every side until an intense 
feeling of loneliness and isolation is experienced. There 
is only one thing to be said in favour of such a place, 
the track is not easily missed as it is as much more con- 
spicuous than a similar path across a meadow, as the 
grasses here are taller and more luxuriant. 
The power to endure flooding is conspicuous among 
the native plants of Guiana. None of the cultivated 
vegetables or fruit trees have this faculty to any great 
extent, but most of them are very impatient of water 
about their roots. The grasses and sedges of the 
swamp on the contrary delight in it aud do not suffer in 
the least provided there is but little current. In still 
water they grow up and flourish above the surface, 
whether it is a few inches in depth or as many feet. 
None, however appear to like the running stream or to 
allow their leaves to lie flat on the water, although at 
least one species floats on the surface. Grasses and 
forest trees have been developed on entirely different 
lines. A tree or shrub generally exposes as great a 
surface as possible to the sunlight by extending its 
branches on all sides. The grass or sedge on the con- 
trary throws up its long and narrow leaves in such a 
