Balata and the Balata Industry. 157 
boo, that still survive, around which the forest has 
restored itself. 
From this point to the mouth of the Icooroowa Creek, 
above which it does not extend, several aquatic weeds, — 
Polygonum pontaderia, and three or four grasses —asso- 
ciated together, form the most striking feature of the 
river. Collectively these weeds are called by the inhabi- 
tants massowa (or missouri) grass. They form a broad 
unbroken band of bright green meadowy vegetation 
twenty to fifty feet wide reaching out from the banks 
along both sides of the river. Where the Pontaderia 
predominates over its associates, it drifts away, and the 
floating masses combine, often covering the whole sur- 
face of the river, and interrupting traffic for long dis- 
tances. When this occurs the inhabitants have to unite 
and muster and cut a passage through and drift the masses 
away, when, eventually, the current carries them down 
the river and out to sea. It is said to be a fruitful har- 
bour for snakes, especially the water camoodie which on 
this river and its creeks attains immense dimensions. Be- 
yond Baraccara the Pontaderia and Polygonum do not 
extend ; grasses alone maintaining the feature further. 
In places I scattered lotus {N elumbium) seed, and should 
these grow, an element, probably permanent, and certain- 
ly of a very gay character, will be added to the scene. 
At Calabash Creek begins the normal forest region, 
which, as I have said, extends up to the great savannah. 
Passing onwards crabwood is seen to be plentiful and 
such palms as manicole, awara and coquerite begin to 
appear. The manicole is not very abundant on the river, 
and its general absence from the banks deprives the 
scenery of a feature, unquestionably the most charming 
