THE FALLS OF GUAYKA. 
73 
a large island, and steering our way amongst 
several others, at last we got into a more 
narrow waterway. The water was deep green 
and clear, weeds and 
soiked reeds grew 
l the edge, and 
glided along more 
ly, the V of our 
5 widening out till 
points reached 
either bank. 
After about two 
hours’ steam¬ 
ing, the launch 
could go no fur¬ 
ther, and we landed 
on the low reedy shore 
of Paraguay. Cross¬ 
ing a swampy piece of 
ground, we plunged into the mont6, where it 
was necessary to go in single file. 
We followed a narrow pathway that led 
through the forest. Thorny bushes caught at 
us as we passed, the gloom became thicker, 
llianas trailed from tree to tree and threatened 
to trip us up. Huge spikey orchids, red and 
yellow, grew on the trees, and the vegetation 
was so luxurious that every plant had to fight 
desperately for life. Stems shot up thin and 
blanched to reach the light, and creepers as 
thick as cables wound themselves in every 
