The Guahiuos. 
By E. A. Wallace. 
URING the revolution in New Granada in 
January 1885, my business of plant-collefting 
being prevented by want of mules and mu- 
leteers, owing to the revolutionary authorities having 
stronger claims on their services than I had, I was led by 
curiosity to visit San Martin. This village which is 
situated near the head of the River Meta, (a tributary of 
the Orinoco) and about 20 leagues from the slopes of 
the Andes, bears the worst name for fever of all the 
towns and villages in the neighbourhood, and on this 
account has hardly ever been visited by foreigners. I was 
therefore very agreeably surprised to find it the cleanest, 
and apparently the healthiest place that I had visited. 
The inhabitants appeared to be well-to-do, and what is 
rather strange in this part of South America, not a single 
beggar could be seen. 
While exploring the neighbourhood, I heard many tales 
of a strange tribe of Indians called Guahivos, who were 
living on the River Ariare about a hundred and fifty miles 
distant, some of whom occasionally visited San Martin. 
Having a little leisure I determined to pay these Indians 
a visit, and finding on enquiry what articles of negotiae 
would be likely to please them I loaded my saddle-bags 
and started quite alone, followed by many an Adios from 
my acquaintances in the village, who never expe6led to 
see me again. The little that was known of this people, 
was gathered from a few Indians who had occasionally 
