248 
DR. SCHOMBURGK’S RESEARCHES IN GUIANA* 
three Macoosie and two Accaway Indians, in all twenty-two persons) began the 
ascent of the river Essequibo. At Aritaka, in latitude 6° 11' North, they reached 
the first rapids. South of these rapids the river assumed a new aspect, displaying 
numerous Sand-banks rising above the surface, which obliged them to cross and 
recross constantly to avoid running aground. The Iguana ( Lacerta iguana ) has 
selected these as a deposit for its eggs, which when fresh are a great delicacy, as 
are also the animals themselves. The Indians shewed dexterity in securing 
them, and in a short time took some hundred eggs, and captured several Iguanas. 
Their course next lay along the narrow island of Gluck, called Aramisary 
Yrupacoo by the Caribbees, from a small species of Tiger which was formerly 
very abundant there. At the Southern end of the island the river Tipoorie falls 
into the river from the South-West. The banks of the Essequibo are here from 
ten to twelve feet high, of Clay and Sand, slightly covered with mould and luxu¬ 
riant vegetation ; behind them generally extends a natural ditch, formed by the 
receding waters after annual inundation. It was still partly filled with water, 
and contained many fish, with their natural enemy, the Heron, stalking about. 
On the 7th of October they reached the island of Hoobucuroo, where the breadth 
of the river is 1,520 yards. The forest here reigns triumphant, all traces of 
civilization are left far behind ; above, around, one dense mass of foliage. Pre¬ 
eminently above all towers the majestic Mora, with its dark-leaved branches—- 
, the gigantic Mimosa of the Western hemisphere, equal if not superior to British 
Oak for ship-building ; the scarcely less stately and equally useful Saouari ( Pekea 
tuberculosa of Aublet), which bears a rich and nutritious nut; the Sirwabally,* 
excellent for planking vessels, and resisting the attacks of Worms; some species of 
Wallabaf ( Dimorpha falcata) ; the Trumpet-tree or Cecropia; the Water Guava 
(Psidium aromaticum ), which replaces the Mangrove of the sea-shore, and yields 
an aromatic leaf, useful in dysentery; and many others yet unknown or un¬ 
described. J Still, though unable to assign each its separate species, the observing 
naturalist cannot fail to notice that these trees bear blossoms, leaves and fruit not 
their own. The Wild Vine or Bush-rope of the Colonists is seen, at times, 
twisted like a cork-screw round the loftiest trees; at other times intertwined like 
the strands of a cable; then drooping to the ground, and again taking root, and 
thus as it were securely anchoring the tree against the fury of the sweeping blast; 
the wild Fig-tree, an unusual parasite, occasionally taking root on the topmost 
branches of the Mora, deriving nourishment from its sap—and this again overrun 
by varieties of the climbing Vine: the whole rendered bright and gay by 
the brilliant blossoms of the Hoyowa or Incense-tree ( Amyris ambrosiaca of 
Willdenow), which perfumes the forest with its sweet-smelling rosin—both its 
* Fam. Saururece. + Eperna of Aublet ; Panz&ria of Willdenow. 
X Dr. Hancock gives the Indian names of fifty of these trees. 
