The Struggle for Life in the Swamp. 241 
manner that no single ribbon overshadows another. 
Which gains most light is doubtful — nature shows that 
the same object may be attained in several different 
ways. A grass with narrow leaves and no bushy expan- 
sion is undoubtedly best fitted for the swamp, as it 
makes little resistance to the rise and fall of the water. 
How close these sedges press against each other. In 
some places the razor grass is absolutely impenetrable. 
When cut the lower part is found bleached, showing that 
the leaves grow so thickly as to shut out the light from 
below. This is the great species of razor grass (Scleria) 
— that horrid "touch-me-not" of the swamp which cuts like 
the sharpest steel instrument if interfered with. In 
some places it is king of the swamp. For miles nothing 
else is allowed to grow, — no quadruped or snake can 
penetrate its recesses. Provided with fine saws on both 
edges of the leaf and on their keels, even the thick- 
skinned tapir can hardly force its way through it. 
As to the delicate water plants they have not the slightest 
chance, but must leave the field to the conqueror. 
All the herbivorous animals of Guiana are more or less 
amphibious. The largest rodent, the capybara or water- 
baas, is at home in the swamp, as are also its cousins the 
labba and acourie, as well as the tapir. But the great 
razor grass defies them all, none daring to touch it 
except perhaps after a fire when the young leaves first 
begin to sprout. It is therefore left alone and allowed 
to hold its position against all outsiders, both animal 
and vegetable. 
The soil in the swamp is covered for a depth of two 
or three feet, with a kind of peat called pegass. Unlike 
peat however it is not fibrous but an oozy brown slime 
