J A

TIMEHRI

BEING

THE JOURNAL

3/

OF

J,fa| ]{ogal Micultural & |;omnw{rrial

OF

BRITISH GUIANA.

Edited by J. J. Quelch, B. Sc, Lond., C.M.Z.S.

VOL. III. (New Series), 1889.

Demerara : J. THOMSON, 1889.

London Agent : E. STANFORD, 26 & 27, Cockspur Street,

London.

E54

n,s,

PRINTED AT THE " ARGOSY*' OFFICE, DEMERARA.

Contents of Volume 3 (New Series).

Papers.

The Schomburgks in Guiana, by J. Rodway

Opening up the Country, by J. E. Tinne

The Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana (Lists by

C. B. Brown)
The Settled Portions of the Barima, Waini and Amakura

Rivers, by H. I. Perkins
A Fragment of Berbice History, by Dr. Young
The Spread of Leprosy, by J. D. Hillis
The Fight between the "Peacock" and the "Hornet

in 1813, by N. Darnell Davis
Along the Essequebo and Potaro, by J. J. Quelch
Fruit-growing in the Gulf States of America, by G. H

Hawtayne, C.M.G.
" Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus," by J. Rodway
The West Indian Bundle of Sticks, by N. D. Davis
Primitive Games, by E. F. im Thurn
Scale Inse&s of British Guiana, by S. J. McIntire
Wild Flowers of Georgetown, by Exley Percival
Caracas as a Place of Resort, by W. J. Smith
Economising Sugar Carriers, by W. P. Abell

Occasional Notes —

Identifications of Guiana Timber Trees
Additions to the Guiana Fauna
Sea-Anemones in Guiana

In Memoriam-

-E. E. H. Francis
D. C. Cameron

Page.

1

35

52
61

72

86

107

209
227
258
270
308
3i4

357
380

165
166
169

367
367

Report of the Meetings of the Societi —

Page.

Accounts and Treasurer's Statement.. 169, 171, 378

Addresses of President .. .. 168, 389

Agricultural Committee, Reports of .. 190, 368

Commercial Committee, Reports of .. 177, 188, 193

Correspondence Committee, Reports of \ ' ' *'1

I 386, 389

Donations to the Museum .. .. 5 9> 97> 374

(.378, 388.. 393

Economising Sugar Carriers . . . . 380

Eleftions .. | ^8, i75, 182, 189, i93, 199

^368, 37o. 374, 378, 385. 389

Exhibition

Fruit Shipments, Letters on
Honorary Membership
In Memoriam Notices
Kiln-drying of Corn

379» 394

172, 183

•• 377

378, 385

•• 383

f 170, 1 8c, 198, 199, 369

I 372. 380, 387, 389, 397

Museum extension .. .. 176, 182

Office-bearers, Eleftions .. .. 170, 399

Polarization of Sugar . . . . . . 194

Motions .

Presentations

f 181, 192, 199, 201

1 369» 373. 398

Resident Directorship in London . . . . 396

Rice-growing .. .. .. . . j 383

Sisal Hemp, Report on . . . . . . 375

Notices of Popular Science Le&ures . . 203, 402

|M frs^ lfln«[ullural and ^ommeraal

Vol. hi. New Series.]

JUNE, i889.

[Part i.

Edited by

J. J. QUELCH, B. Sc, Lond.

Contents :

PAPERS. — The Schomburgks in Guiana, by J. Rodway, F.L.S.;
Opening up the Country, by J. E. TiNNE, M.A. ; The Rocks and
Minerals of British Guiana, (Lists by C. B. Brown, F.G.S.) ; The
Settled portions of the Barima, Waini, and Amakura Rivers, by
H. I. PERKINS, F.R.G.S. ; A Fragment of Berbice History, by
C. G. YOUNG, M.A., M.D. ; The Spread of Leprosy, by John D.
HiLLlS, F.R.C.S. ; The Fight between the " Peacock " and the
"Hornet" in jS/j, by N. DARNELL Davis ; Along the Esse-
quebo and Potaro, by the Editor.

OCCASIONAL NOTES. — Identifications of Guiana Timber Trees;
Additions to the Guiana Fauna ; Sea-anemones in Guiana.

Reports of Society's Meetings, from January to June, 1889.

List of Popular Science Lectures.

Publishers :
Demerara: J. THOMSON, Argosy Printing Press.
London : E. STANFORD, 26 & 27, Cockspur St., London.

The " Schomburgks" in Guiana.

By James Rodway, F.L.S.

P to the time of ROBERT SCHOMBURGK'S explor-
ations, the interior ot this country was almost
unknown. The great lake of Parima was still
retained on most of the maps of South America, but the
best geographers had already expressed doubts as to the
existence of any very large body of water in Guiana,
Hillhouse had made some journeys up the Massaruni
and also partial explorations of the country between the
Essequebo and the Orinoco, but the upper districts of
our great rivers were less known than they had been
a century before, when the Dutch post-holders must
have had a good knowledge of the country. Humboldt's
researches had left Guiana unexplored; he says, —
" With respeft to the continuation of the system of the
mountains of Parime, south-east of the meridian of the
Essequebo, the materials are entirely wanting for
tracing it with precision. The whole interior of Dutch,
French and Portuguese Guiana is a terra incognita, and
the astronomical geography of those countries has
scarcelv made any progress during the space of thirty
years."* The Royal Geographical Society of London
considered it a matter of great importance, to connect
Humboldt's observations with those made on the coast
of Guiana, and for this purpose Robert Hermann
SCHOMBURGK was chosen in 1834.

This gentleman was then thirty years old, having
* Humboldt's Narrative (Bohn) HI, 343.

2 TlMEHRI.

been born on the 5th of June 1804, at Freiburg, in
Saxony. Having been unsuccessful as a tobacco planter
in Virginia he proceeded to the West Indies in 1830 and
surveyed the island of Anegada, his report of whic"
brought him to the notice of the Geographical Society-
Writing in 1834, Dr. W. J. HOOKER spoke of him as a
very accomplished naturalist, favourably known to
science by an interesting history of Anegada, and to the
Botanist still more favourably, by his excellent obser-
vations on the cultivated plants of the West Indies,
lately published in " Linnea".

Considerable interest was felt in SCHOMBURGK'S ex-
pedition by naturalists generally. HOOKER trusted
"' that the Atlantic side of South America would soon
be better known to Botanists by the researches of Mr*
SCHOMBURGK, who had offered his services to explore
the banks of the Orinoco, and it was hoped that he
would shortly embark from Tortola for that interesting
country."*

His instructions from the Secretary of the Society
were dated November 19th 1834. The expedition was
to have two distinct objects ; first, thoroughly to in-
vestigate the physical and astronomical geography of
British Guiana, and, secondly, to connect; the positions
thus ascertained with those of Hb'MBOLDT on the Upper
Orinoco. The two undertakings were to occupy three
years, the second object to be commenced after the com-
pletion of the lirst. Towards the expenses the Society
contributed ^900. He was dire6led to proceed to
Demerara, where he would receive further instruc-
tions from the Governor, Sir James Carmichael Smyth

* Hooker's jour. Bot. I. 179.

The Schomburgks in Guiana.

All geographical information was to be considered as the
property of the Society, but his collections were to be at
his own disposal, with the exception of one set of natural
history specimens to the British Museum, and a geolo-
gical collection for the Geological Society. For the
first year or eighteen months, everything was to be
subordinate to the object of investigating the physical
character and resources of the great central ridge which
furnishes tributaries to the great rivers of British Guiana.
When this was finished he was to pass the mountains,
and connect his positions with those of Humboldt. As
the expedition could not begin till August, SCHOMBURGK
need not arrive in Demerara before June.

He arrived in Georgetown on the 5th of August 1835,
where he stayed for six weeks, his delay being caused by
the unusual length of the rainy season. The Governor
took great interest in the expedition, but the planters
and inhabitants generally were so much taken up with
the political squabbles of the time, that his arrival was
hardly noticed. The great question of Emancipation had
ended in what the planters considered as a defeat, and
what with the disputes respecting the compensation
money, and the new laws for the apprenticed labourers,
the relations between the Government and the estate-
owners were very much strained. '

On the 21st of September, he proceeded to the Esse-
quebo Post, which stood on the site of what is now the
Penal Settlement, for the purpose of engaging corials
and Indians for the expedition. While waiting for the
final arrangements, he made a short trip up the Cuyuni,
making observations, and collecting a few specimens.
Leaving the post on the 1st of October, the expedition,

A 2

4 TlMEHRl.

consisting of 22 persons, including himself and Lieu-
tenant HAINING, embarked in three corials, and proceeded
up the Essequebo. His first object was to ascertain the
source of this river, and the nature of the country through
which it runs. Arrangements had been made for a
probable absence of six months, and every convenience
possible had been provided, including credentials to
secure respect from the authorities on the frontier.

On arriving at the Creek Annay on the Rupununi,
October 23, temporary head-quarters were established,
and letters, reporting progress, forwarded to George-
town, where they were reported as having been
received on November 19th. From a letter to Mr.
GEORGE Bentham,* the Botanist, it appears that all
the party had suffered more or less from fatigue and
exposure ; fever and dysentery having been the prevail-
ing disorders, but in no cases however to a dangerous
degree. His own servant insisted on going back with
the people who had been hired at the post, having be-
come alarmed at his own indisposition, and the accounts
of tigers and rattlesnakes,, the latter of which had paid
several visits to their Indian huts. He had already col-
lected about 2,000 plants, and expected to find the
savannahs a rich field. When Lieut. Haining should
eave him in about three months, he would send his col-
lections of plants, birds and minerals ; the opportunity
of the people then leaving he did not consider sufficiently
safe. He had enclosed a paper on the species of Lacis
for the Linnean Society, and had drawings of several
other plants, but was too weak from fever and ague, to
finish the accounts of them.

* Hooker's Companion to Hot. Mag., Vol. I.

The Schomburgks in Guiana.

From Annay our, traveller ascended the Rupununi as
far as the lightest canoe could go ; visited Lake Amucu,
the supposed Lake Parima, stood on the highest ridge of
the Parima Mountains, and obtained specimens of the
hitherto unknown plant from which the Wourali poison
is made.

Letters were received in Georgetown on the 23rd
January, 1836, (dated December 5th, 1835), from Pirara,
by which it appears that the health of the party had im-
proved. SCHOMBURGK spoke highly of the kindness of
Senhor CORSEIRO, Commandant of Fort St. Joaquin, who
had supplied him with horses and a canoe, and helped
him in many other ways.

Lieut. HAINING left the Rupununi on February 6, to
return to Georgetown. On his arrival, the Royal Gazette
spoke of the difficulty in obtaining information as to the
expedition, on account of the arrangement with the
Geographical Society. The travellers had in no instance
diverged far from the banks of the rivers, there had been
therefore no time for Geological researches. HAINING
left some specimens of cotton, tobacco and Indian corn,
at the Commercial Rooms, for public inspection. A
collection of plants was forwarded to England, as well
as other natural history specimens.

After the departure of his companion, SCHOMBURGK
returned from the Rupununi and proceeded up the
Essequebo, where he discovered a large tributary which
was named by him Smyth's River. The expedition was
at length stopped by an impassable barrier called after
the King, William IVth's Catara6L The expedition then
returned and arrived at Bartica on the 18th of March.
By an accident at Etabally Falls, one of the corials was

6 TlMEHRl.

upset, and a large portion of the colledtion of plants
lost, including most of those from the Savannahs. On
opening those that remained he found many utterly
destroyed by damp, and quite useless. Although the
losses were so serious the results of the expedition
were by no means meagre, 66 specimens of birds were
sent to the British Museum, several Botanical papers,
and accounts of Strychnos toxifera (Wourali) forwarded
to the Linnean Society, 170 species of plants, some
seeds to the Horticultural Society, and several living
Orchids. A number of Astronomical observations had
been made, being the commencement of the series that
would ultimately connect with those of Humboldt's.
HOOKER, in speaking of SCHOMBURGK'S return to
Demerara said : — " The perils of such an undertaking
none can estimate except those who have visited similar
countries.''*

SCHOMBURGK'S second expedition to explore the Cor-
entyne left Demerara on the 2nd of September. He
was accompanied by Mr. VlETH, an ornithologist, Mr.
HERAUT, a draughtsman, and Lieutenant LOSACK and
Messrs. Cameron and REISS as volunteers. Proceed-
ing from Mary's Hope on September 19th, he ascended
the river as far as some falls, which he named Smyth's
and Barrow's cataracts, where his progress being arrested,
he was obliged to return to Berbice early in November.

On the 25th of the same month he left New Am-
sterdam with the same party, except Lieut. LOSACK,
and proceeded up the Berbice River, where he dis-
covered the Victoria Regia. From a place where the
river was about thirty yards wide, he crossed by means

* Companion to But. Magazine Vol. II.

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 7

of an Indian path, to the Essequebo, the journey being
accomplished in 3 hours and 20 minutes. There was
not the slightest trace of the Demerara River to be seen
at this place. Returning to the Berbice next day, he
was obliged to proceed down that river on account of
being short of provisions. In coming down the Christ-
mas Catara6ts, Mr. Reiss was drowned by the upsetting
of a corial. Undaunted by starvation or the continual
drenching rains, after a few days rest at Wickie, he
started up the Wieronie Creek, and proceeded partly by
canoes and then overland to the Demerara River, where
he arrived at Seba, and visited the Great Falls. Return-
ing to the Wieronie he made a short trip to the Upper
Canje, and returned to New Amsterdam on the 30th of
March 1839.

His collections in this journey included 58 birds, 400
Natural History specimens which were unfortunately
lost on board of a vessel wrecked on the voyage home,
and 8000 plants of 400 species. The other results were
however almost left in the shade by the discovery of
Victoria Regia. This wonderful plant, of which SCHOM-
BURGK sent coloured drawings to England, was first
made known to the scientists at a meeting of the British
Association, on the nth of September 1838. Almost
immediately, descriptions were published in all the
scientific journals, and almost every newspaper. It having
been named after the young Queen, together with its
grandeur and beauty, helped to bring it into more notice
than perhaps any Botanical discovery ever made. The
colonists even began to wake up a little and to pay some
attention to the expeditions. Copies of the narrative
from the Geographical Journal were laid on the tables at

8 TlMEHRI.

the News Room, and some enthusiasm began to be felt
,*n the colony.

Our traveller certainly seemed to have plenty of
energy, as ne made a careful survey of the mouth of
the Corentyne, during the month of June.

Returning to Georgetown he suffered from a severe
attack of yellow fever, which delayed his departure on
what was to be his longest journey, to explore the sources
of the Essequebo and connect his observations with those
of Humboldt. After his recovery he left Georgetown
on the 1 2th of September 1837, accompanied by Mr.
VlETH his assistant naturalist, Mr. MORRISON a
draughtsman, and Mr. Le BRETON who superintended
the Commissariat. The expedition was fitted out at Post
Ampa, from whence it proceeded to the Rupununi, and
then through its tributary the Rewa, overland, where
SCHOMBURGK arrived in the Essequebo at some distance
beyond the falls which had formed the obstacle to his
first exploration. After a further toilsome journey
partly in canoes, and partly by fatiguing marches he
reached one of the sources of the Essequebo. Returning
to the Rupununi, he stopped three weeks to recruit,
whence proceeding to Pirara, he remained with Mr.
Youd, the Missionary, to await supplies from George-
town. While here he explored the Canuku mountains,
and after the arrival of his boats proceeded with Mr.
YoUD to Fort San Joaquim, where he was received with
great civility. For nearly three months he was employed
here in exploring the surrounding country, making
observations, and collecting. Returning to Pirara in
September 1838, he finally left the Mission on October
the 8th to commence a most toilsome journey to Esme-

The Schomburgks in Guiana.

ralda on the Orinoco, where he arrived on the 22nd
of February 1839- In speaking of his first sight of the
goal of his wishes, he said : — " I cannot describe with
what feelings I hastened ashore ; my object was realised,
and my observations, commenced on the Coast of Guiana,
were now connected with those of HUMBOLDT." After
a stay of four days, he proceeded down the Orinoco to
the Cassiquiare, through that river to the Rio Negro,
thence up the Rio Branco, arriving at Fort San Joaquim
on the 22nd of April. Reaching Pirara he found the
Mission in possession of a detachment of Brazilian
soldiers, and the Indians dispersed. He came in sight of
Bartica on the 17th of June, where the inhabitants fired
salutes and hoisted flags to give him a hearty welcome.
The feeling in the Court of Policy, which had been
rather antagonistic at first, especially as regarded the
annual vote towards the expenses of the expeditions,
began to take a turn in their favour. At the sitting of
the Court on December the 19th 1838, Governor Light
read a copy of one of SCHOMBURGK's letters which
called attention to the expediency of affording some
protection to the Indian tribes on the Brazilian frontier.
The Governor moved a resolution " that this Court will
take into its favourable consideration the expediency of
adopting such measures as it may deem practicable, for
promoting the civilization of the Indian tribes in the
remote parts of the colony," which was passed, the
elective members however trying unsuccessfully to add
the words, " as far as might be consistent with the
diminished resources of the colony." The Honour*
able Mr. MacRae spoke of SCHOMBURGK's recom*
mendation " that the Boundaries of the Colony

10 TlMEHRI.

should be properly defined," and said that this was
highly desirable. The Pirara expedition of 1842 was
the outcome of this resolution, and the reports of
the traveller.

SCHOMBURGK went to England in October 1839,
taking with him three of the Indians who had formed
part of his boat's crew. These aborigines are figured in
the letter-press of the " Views ;" one was a Warrow
named CORRIENOW, the second Saramang a Macusi,
and the third SoRORENG a Parawano. While in London,
they were introduced to the Aborigines Protection
Society at Exeter Hall, and were viewed with very great
nterest by the visitors to the Guiana Exhibition which
the traveller had opened in London at 209 Regent Street,
during the winter of 1839-40. The Exhibition was arranged
jn a room which had been decorated with scenic foliage,
amidst which stood the model of an Indian benab, fitted up
with hammocks and all necessary utensils. The Indians
were dressed in tight-fitting clothes painted with roucou,
to give the appearance of nature, but notwithstanding
this partial covering they were stated to have cowered
over a fire, shivering with the cold. They displayed
their skill in shooting with the bow and blow-pipe.
Around the rooms were arranged the collections of birds,
quadrupeds, insects, geological specimens, Indian imple-
ments, &c, and a fine series of drawings of scenery and
plants, special prominence being given to a life-size
drawing of the Victoria Regia.

The " Description of British Guiana" was published
in the early part of 1840 and at the same time the
" Views," were being offered for subscription. A large
number of both works were sold in the colony,

The Schombukgks in Guiana. i i

RICHARDSON & Co., advertising the first as being on
sale on the 14th of July.

At the Anniversary Meeting of the Geographical
Society held on the 25th of May 1840, one of the gold
medals was presented to SCHOMBURGK with the following
complimentary address : —

" Mr. SCHOMBURGK,— By favour of Her Majesty the
Queen of these Realms, the Royal Geographical Society
is authorised to apply the medal now before me to the
encouragement of geographical science and discovery,
and it is in the conscientious discharge of the duty which
has thus devolved upon them, that the Society has
determined to place in your hands this honourable testi-
mony of their approbation and esteem. Sir, — In the
arduous journey in which you were engaged during a
period of five years, you faithfully complied with the
instructions, and more than fulfilled the expectations of
your employers. Guided in the first instance, by the
footsteps of your illustrious countryman Baron HUM-
BOLDT you afterwards visited a country in which no one
had preceded you. A problem which he began to solve
you have brought to its conclusion, and by your joint
observations we have now astronomically determined a
connected series of fixed points along a line extending
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Nor is it in this respect
only that we recognise in you the qualities of your great
predecessor ; like him, you are distinguished by the
variety of your talents, and the extensive range of your
studies. The zoologist gladly recognises in you the
discoverer and describer of several species of birds and
fishes, — the botanist of many plants before unknown to
naturalists. An account of your geographical observa-

12 TlMEHKl.

tions, given in the order of their occurrence is reported
in our Journal ; and in the work which you have since
published, and in which you develope for the first time
the great and unexpected resources of British Guiana,
you have rendered an important service to those of our
conntrymen who hold property in that colony. The map
which you have constructed, and which the Society is
about to publish, bears ample testimony of your ability
as a physical geographer. The able and affecting appeal
which you have made in behalf of large tribes of our
fellow-men and fellow-subjects, with whose merits and
sufferings we were previously unacquainted, has not
been made in vain; and you are now about to return to
the land of your former wanderings under the sanction of
the government, not only to enlarge the boundaries of
science, but to secure the interests of this country and
vindicate the rights of humanity. We are well aware of
the labours you underwent in your former journeyings,
the privations you suffered, the perils you encountered ;
and in admiring that patient endurance, that undaunted
spirit, that determined perseverance of which we find in
your late expedition such abundant proofs, we feel
justified in entertaining the confident as well as earnest
hope that, after the successful accomplishment of your
new mission, you will return among us crowned with
additional honours and possessing still higher claims on
our gratitude and respect."

Mr. SCHOMBURGK, in reply, said : —

" Sir, — The distinction which the Royal Geographical
Society enjoys among the scientific bodies in Europe, and
the lead which it has hitherto taken in the advancement
of geography, must render so honourable a testimonial

The Schomburgks in Guiana.

as you have just now bestowed upon me a proud acquisi-
sition to any traveller, the more when he looks back to
the distinguished travellers and discoverers who at
former periods have received from this chair the Royal
Premium. But to me it is an additional source of gratifi-
cation, as it proves to the world that the researches
which were carried on under the patronage and direction
of this Society met with their approbation. I may
perhaps be permitted briefly to recapitulate some of my
labours in the West Indies. In the year 1831, 1 executed
a survey of Anegada and its dangerous reefs, by which I
trust I have been the means of saving the lives of many
of my fellow-creatures, and several vessels from ship=
wreck. This survey brought me into connexion with
the Geographical Society, and I subsequently, as is re-
lated in its Journal, explored the rivers Essequebo,
Corentyne and Berbice, and investigated the capabilities
of the rich and fertile colony of Guiana. One of my
discoveries during this period was the VICTORIA R.EGIA,
the most beautiful specimen of the Flora of the western
hemisphere ; and it gives me much pleasure to announce
to you on this occasion, that, after three vain attempts to
convey living specimens of that plant from the interior to
the coast, I have just received information that five
plants have arrived in good order in Georgetown, and I
hope will shortly reach England. I need scarcely say
that the first specimen that arrives will be placed at the
disposal of Her Majesty, who has graciously permitted
the beautiful flower to bear her name. My subsequent
journey to Esmeralda, the details of which are in course
of publication, enabled me to connect my observations
with those of Baron Humboldt, and I am proud here to

14 TlMEHRI.

state that it was the example set by that distinguished
traveller, that has led me onward th;ough difficulties and
privations of no ordinary nature, till I had the good
fortune to accomplish the journey that you have been
pleased this evening to crown with your approval. For
myself personally, I do not feel that I have a claim to
this high honour. Let me however, consider it as an
encouragement to further exertion ; and although the
path marked out for me at present, in my future travels
in Guiana, is restricted to the limits of the colony, I
confidently trust that I may obtain permission to extend
them to the eastward, and also that another attempt may
be made to reach the course of the Orinoco to the west-
ward, by ascending the rivers Mocajahi and Catrimani.
To you, Sir, as President of the Society, I beg to offer
my sincere thanks for the too flattering terms in which
you have conferred this distinction, which I shall ever
consider as one of the proudest events of my life ; and I
trust that my future researches may prove me to have
been not wholly unworthy of it."*

HUMBOLDT wrote a preface to the German account
of the expeditions, (edited by OTTO SCHOMBURGK) in
which the father of modern travellers spoke very highly
of the work. The results of the journeys had afforded
him, " towards the close of a very active life, the highest
enjoyment." Great had been his pleasure to witness
so important an extension of the world's geographical
knowledge, and to know that such a bold, well-executed
plan had been carried out by a young man with whom he
felt himself connected by the bonds of a similar pursuit
and a common country. " ROBEBT SCHOMBURGK had

* Geographical Journal.

The Schomburgks in Guiana, 15

in view in his examination of this part of the world,
objects, which before his travels lay enveloped in
obscurity. But already had he, before he set out on this
expedition, given proofs of the courage with which he
executed it, in a manner no less noble though different.
Fighting long and manfully against all impediments and
oppositions thrown in his way, he formed himself his
own scientific education. That which is not to be
extracted from books was furnished to him by his life in
the open air, by the sight of the starry heavens in the
tropical world, and by his immediate contact with living
nature."

The King of Prussia decorated SCHOMBURGK with the
Order of the Red Eagle, and sent him a letter in which
His Majesty assured him of the great interest he had
taken in his researches.

The work of the Geographical Society having been
accomplished in such a satisfactory manner, our traveller
was engaged as " Commissary for surveying the bounda-
ries of British Guiana," half of the expense to be borne
by the colony and the remainder by the home govern-
ment. The despatch from Downing Street with infor-
mation of his appointment was read in the Court of
Policy on the 29th of October 1840, at a time when the
relations between the planters and the government
were so antagonistic, that everything emanating from
Downing Street was like the proverbial " red rag" to the
landed interest. The matter was ordered to be brought
up with the estimates, but Governor LiGHT in a letter to
Lord RUSSELL, stated his belief that the Combined
Court would refuse to pay any part of the expenses of
the Mission. The reply of the Secretary of State to this

1 6 TlMEHRl.

letter was read to the Court of Policy on the 12th of
October 1842, recommending the matter to their favour-
able consideration, and another despatch on December
7th, containing the following strong expression of his
opinion : —

" The item for half the expenses of the Mission for
surveying and marking out the boundaries of the colony,
is an item for a service not imperatively demanded by an
immediate exigency, but the negle6l of which might
involve a large expenditure, and evils of great magnitude
at a future time. The case is therefore one in which a
small present sacrifice is required on grounds of prudence
and foresight. The Combined Court in their eighth
resolution have expressed an opinion that the service is
unnecessary, and have even objected to the payments
which you made towards it out of the Contingent Fund
at your disposal on the Civil List The planters of
British Guiana do not perhaps consider their own interest
and that of their offspring as permanently identified with
the colony in which they are now following their for-
tunes. But it is for the well-being of the colonies
themselves, that their affairs should be conducted in a
more enlarged and comprehensive spirit^ with a view
to their permanent interests as component parts of the
great Colonial Empire of Great Britain, and not with the
short-sighted view of avoiding, or throwing upon the
resources of the mother country, every expense which is
not absolutely called for by the immediate and pressing
exigencies of the day. In the present instance Her
Majesty's Government are willing to charge one moiety
of the expense upon the Home Revenue, asking the
colony for the other moiety only ; although, as I have

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 17

observed before, if the Boundary Expedition has any
other aspect than colonial, it is only because by neglect-
ing to settle it, the mother country might at some future
period be involved in the expense of a war, in addition
to the continual expense of the ordinary protection of the
colony and the sacrifices submitted to by the consumers
in this country, for the promotion and encouragement of
its staple produce."*

Meanwhile ROBERT Schomburgk had commenced the
survey, assisted by Mr. GLASCOTT, and accompanied by
his brother RICHARD, who had been commissioned by
the Prussian Government to make collections for the
Royal Museum and the Botanical Gardens at Berlin.
The expedition left Georgetown on the 19th of April,
1 841, and proceeded to the river Waini, from thence
through the Mora Passage to the Barima, and after
careful explorations of these rivers from their mouths to
the sources, went to the Amacura, which was also care-
fully surveyed. Returning to the Waini the expedition
proceeded up that river to its affluent, the Barama, and
thence overland to the Cuyuni, arriving through this
river at Bartica, on 27th of July.

During the three months and a half, they had travelled
over 700 miles, exposed to the torrents of a rainy
season; made 21 astronomical observations, and also
large collections of plants and natural history specimens.
RICHARD SCHOMBURGK had great difficulties in pre-
serving the collections, but the results were on the
whole very encouraging. A large quantity of living
Orchids, including a very fine Coryanthes (C.
macrantha PJ, that had been entrusted to the Cap-
* Minutes of Court of Policy.

IS TlMEHRI.

tain of a schooner unfortunately perished through
nattention.

The movements of the Boundary Expedition were very
jealously watched by Venezuela. From their newspapers
of the time it appears that on the 13th January, 1841,
the British Consul at Caracas informed the Government
that Her Britannic Majesty had commissioned the
Chevalier Schomburgk to survey the territory of British
Guiana, and to establish its limits with Venezuela ;
adding, that orders had been sent to the Governor of
British Guiana to repel any encroachments upon terri-
tory near the borders hitherto occupied by the indepen-
dant tribes. On the 28th of the same month the
Venezuelan Government proposed to enter into a Boun-
dary Treaty, by plenipotentiaries appointed by both
parties. In July the Governor of Guiana communicated
to his government that an English flag was flying near a
sentry-box on a point at the mouth of the Amacura. A
month later it was reported at Angostura that a boat
and 40 men with a cannon were at the same place.
To demand an explanation of these doings a Commission
consisting of Messrs. RODRIGUES and ROMERO was
appointed, which arrived in Georgetown on October
16th, 1841.

El Venezolano of Feb. 25th, 1842, slid : "The Eng-
lish are now raising false pretensions to the ownership
of the lands which form the margins of the Rio Orinoco,
although these parts are at a distance of 60 leagues
from the limits of Dutch Guiana." A great deal of
agitation was felt at Caracas on account of SCHOM-
burgk placing paals at the Amacura. The Royal
Gazette of April 19th, 1842, said : — " We believe that

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 19

the condu6t of the Chevalier SCHOMBURGK in taking
possession of the point of land at the mouth of the
Orinoco, which has caused so much distress to our
Venezuelan neighbours, was wholly unauthorized, and
orders have been given to remove the monuments, con-
sisting of two or three stakes driven into the ground,
which he erected upon that occasion ; so this momentous
affair is likely to be settled without bloodshed."

In December 1841 the Commission, consisting of Sir
ROBERT SCHOMBURGK and his brother, Mr. GoODALL
an artist, and Mr. Frere a botanist, left Georgetown
for the purpose of defining and exploring the Brazilian
frontier. The party proceeded dire6t to Pirara, from
whence they journeyed to the river Takutu, tracing it
to its source, where was found a black sand containing
gold, but whether in sufficient quantity to pay for
washing there was no time to determine. Returning to
Pirara after an absence of two months, they remained there
for some time to await supplies from Georgetown. In
September 1842, the expedition proceeded to navigate the
river Cotinga to its source near Roraima, where after an
exploration of the neighbourhood the party separated,
Messrs. RICHARD SCHOMBURGK, GOODALL, and FRERE,
returning to Pirara, while Sir Robert struck across the
country to the Cuyuni, returning to Georgetown in
January 1843.

The views of the colonists on the expeditions were
fairly represented in an article in the Guiana Herald of
January 24th, 1843 as follows : — " However general the
opinion may be of the utter uselessness, if not inexpe-
diency, of mooting the question respecting the Boundary
line between ours and the Brazilian Territories; and,

C2

20 TlMEHRl.

however justifiable economists may deem the Legis-
lature of this Colony were in refusing to contribute
any pecuniary aid to forward the settlement of
this matter, still we think there are few who will
not readily admit, that entirely distinct from this
question, Mr. SCHOMBURGK has rendered the most
essential services to this Colony, for which, as yet,
he has received no more solid compensation than
some barren praise, and even that but sparingly dealt
out. Not the great Humboldt himself, one of the
earliest traversers of the pathless wilds of the interior,
has done so much to make known the resources of this
vast and fertile country, or to enlighten European igno-
rance even upon its geographical particulars, as has
recently been achieved by the exertions of the intelligent
and persevering traveller now among us. And when it
is recollected, that the whole annual expenses to perform
these interesting and highly important discoveries and
researches, only amounted to £1,100 exclusive of the
salaries of the officers ; and that Mr. SCHOMBURGK is
now only receiving half salary, in consequence of the
refusal of the local legislature to contribute a share of
the expedition, we think that every well-wisher of the
colony who desires to have its resources and condition
made known to our brethren in Europe, — every advocate
for the march of enlightment, — and every friend of
science would rejoice to see Mr. SCHOMBURGK'S just
claims on the gratitude of this colony suitably acknow-
ledged. On Mr. SCHOMBURGK'S return from his last
expedition, there awaited him in Georgetown, a letter
from M. JOMARD, President of the Geographical Society
of Paris, intimating that the Medal of that Society had

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 21

been awarded to him for his researches in British Guiana.
While foreign nations, therefore, can thus acknowledge
the merit, and reward the services of this scientific man
and enterprising traveller, in whose labours and re-
searches they only profit generally, in so much as they
advance the cause of literature and science, we trust it
shall not be said that we, whose benefit is immediate and
direct from such labours, have been less willing to
reward them, either by fame or a more solid compensa-
tion."

While his brother was in Georgetown, RICHARD
SCHOMBURGK was collecting on the savannahs near
Pirara. His pursuits would not admit of being properly
carried out during the longer expeditions, he therefore,
confined himself to careful investigations of the Fauna
and Flora round certain centres, the principal of which
was Pirara, the others being the Pomeroon Post, and the
Demerara River.

Sir Robert Schomburgk proceeded from George-
town, on his final expedition, on February 14th, 1843,
to meet his brother and the rest of the party at Pirara.
Proceeding up the Rupununi to the village of Watu
Ticaba, where RICHARD SCHOMBURGK was left behind,
the expedition crossed the savannahs to a small affluent of
the Corentyne, where they constructed woodskins and
proceeded down that river. The navigation was very
difficult, the woodskins being cracked by continual colli-
sions with the rocks. But the worst trouble was semi-
starvation, the last few days of the journey being
endured on an allowance of six ounces of farinha to each
person per day. The party reached Georgetown on
O6tober 13th. The Royal Gazette of October the 19th,

22 TlMEHRl.

thus records their return : " The Chevalier Schom-
BURGK and Mr. GoODALL, the talented artist, have,
after an absence of eight months, returned safely in
tolerable good health. They encountered great hard-
ships in their descent of the Corentyne, but the objects
of the expedition have been fully realised. There
remains nothing now to the completion of the whole
survey of Guiana, and to the accuracy of an extensive
Map, than that a geometrical base line be obtained from
the eastern to the western boundaries of the colony
along its northern front. The necessary instruments
for the purpose have been forwarded by the Admiralty,
and the estimate of the expense of this is supposed to
be on its way to England for the sanction of the Secre-
tary of State."

In his account of the results of the whole of the expedi-
tions into the interior of this country, the sum total is
almost wonderful. From the various maps accompanying
the reports in the Geographical Journal, it may be best
seen how the blanks were gradually filled up by one
exploration after another, until the final Map left very
little to be discovered. The latitudes of 174 different
points were determined by 4,824 altitudes of heavenly
bodies, while other meteorolog cal investigations were
carried on wherever circumstances permitted. Notwith-
standing serious losses his colls&ions were enormous,
besides supplying private subscribers, he contributed to the
British Museum, 2,500 specimens of plants, 100 of woods,
a number of seeds and fruits, a flower and leaf of Victoria
Regia, a collection of bird's skins, 100 specimens of
fishes, a geological collection, and an ethnological collec-
tion. To the Royal College of Surgeons were presented,

The Schomburgks in Guiana. . 23

an Indian skeleton, some skulls, and plaster casts of faces ;
to the Model-room of the Admiralty, 106 specimens of
woods; and to Kevv a number of living plants including
several new orchids. His writings consisted principally
of the Journals of the expeditions ; he had no time to
study his collections and elaborate the results, but there
were others ready to investigate the specimens, and
publish them in the scientific periodicals of the time.

While residing in Georgetown up to the time of his
departure, Sir Robert SCHOMBURGK took great interest
in the formation of the Agricultural and Commercial
Society, of which he was elected a honorary member on
the 1st of May. In acknowledging the letter in which he
had been informed of his election, he assured the
11 Society" that he would always take the liveliest interest
in their Institution, which promised to be of great advan-
tage to a colony, of the greatness and the variety of
natural resources of which, he had the most indubitable
proofs during his researches in the interior. He had
fitted up an Observatory at Eve Leary, where he carried
on his Astronomical work up to the time of his departure
on the 20th of May 1844. On the last day of the same
month the instruments used in the boundary survey were
presented by the Governor to the new Astronomical and
Meteorological Society, of which Dr. Bonyun was one
of the principal promoters. An Observatory was to be
erected in the Parade Ground and a great deal of enthu-
siasm was shown by some of the members. In April a
correspondence had been initiated in the Royal Gazette
by a paper of SCHOMBURGK on the Mudar (Calotropis
gigantea) as a remedy for Leprosy, followed by a letter
advocating the establishment of a Botanical Garden. In

24 TlMEHRI.

the first occurs the following passage, which is interesting
as showing the traveller's idea of the purposes for which
such a garden could be utilized : —

" At this period, when the greatest efforts is being
made to institute a Society for the advancement of the
Agricultural and Commercial interests of British Guiana,
and where one of the manifold objects, it is to embrace,
consists of a Museum where the best specimens which
can be obtained, of the productions of the colony, both
indigenous and introduced, shall be kept, it is not amiss
to point out how desirable and honourable to the colony
it would be, to possess a Botanical Garden for the cultiva-
tion of such of our indigenous plants which are either
useful for general purposes, or which according to
previous knowledge, or the information of our native
Indians, or the populace at large, are used in diseases or
considered to possess medical virtues." In a reference
to another letter of Schomburgk's, the Editor of
Royal Gazette said, that his accomplished correspondent
wished to urge on the inhabitants, generally, and the new
Agricultural Society in particular, the formation of a
Botanical Garden in the vicinity of the town, for which
he advanced four arguments, each of which singly ought
to be enough to carry the day for him. " First, a Botanical
Garden would promote medical science ; second, it would
be an honour and ornament to the country and town ;
third, it would afford healthy and innocent recreation
to the poor ; fourth, it would desennuyer the rich by
giving them a new amusement. SCHOMBURGK'S letters
led to further correspondence; " Erinensis" took up the
cudgels for Astronomy and the new Astronomical Society,
which was answered in a good-humoured way by the

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 25

traveller, who told his antagonist to pity him for his
amiable enthusiasm for botany. Another correspondent,
" Guyannensis," took Schomburgk's side, while a
looker-on poked fun at the whole correspondence in a
letter dated Isle of Sky, and signed "Potatoe Alde-
baran," giving a humourous account of the conflict
between the " Plants and the Stars.''

After leaving British Guiana, SCHOMBURGK remained
in Barbados for some time, collecting materials for his
history of that island, which was published in 1847. In
the following year he was appointed British Consul at
St. Domingo, whence in 1852 he forwarded to the
Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society a letter on
the Ramon Tree (Trophis Americana) , which he recom-
mended to be grown in Guiana on account of the young
leaves being useful as fodder. In 1 857, he was sent to Siam
as Her Majesty's Consul General, where he was enabled to
advance the interests of British Commerce, and to make
several geographical surveys. His health declining, he
returned to England in the autumn of 1864, and retired
on a pension, and after enjoying this for only a few
months in his native country, he died at Berlin on the
uthofMarch, 1865. RlCHARDSCHOMBURGK is stillliving
and is now 78 years of age. After publishing the "Reisen"
in 1847, he became implicated in the trouble of the German
Revolution of the following year, to escape which he
emigrated to Australia, where he became a farmer and
winegrower. In 1865 he accepted the post of Director
of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, which he still holds.

The following is a list of the principal books and
articles written by Sir ROBERT SCHOMBURGK and his

n

26 TlMEHRI.

brother, together with the various descriptions by other
writers of the specimens collected during their explora-
tions in the interior of this country : —

1835. G. Bentham. — Enumeration of the Plants collected by Mr.
Schomburgk in British Guiana. Annals Nat. Hist., Vol. II.

1836. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Report of an Expedition into the
Interior of British Guyana in 1835-6- Geographical Journal.

On the Religious Traditions of the

\/ Macusi Indians, who inhabit the Upper Mahu and a portion of the
Pacaraima Mountains. Read before Soc. Antiq., Nov. 17.

1837. ' Papers read before the Botanical

Society of London : On Victoria Regia ; on Loranthus Smythii. Pro-
ceedings Bot. Soc, London.

■ Diary of an Ascent of the River

.Corentyn in British Guayana in Oftober, 1836. — Diary of an Ascent of
the river Berbice in British Guayana in 1836-7. Geograph. Journal.

Chart of the Mouth of the river

Corentyn. Admiralty Office.

J. Lindley. — Monograph of Victoria, folio, plates.

1838. Robert H. Schomburgk. — Papers read before the Botanical
Society : On Triplaris Americana ; on Bertholletia excelsa. Transactions
Bot. Soc. Lond.

G. Bentham. — Observations on some Genera of Plants con-
nected with the Flora of Guiana. Linn. Soc. Trans., Vol. XVIII.

1839. Robt. H. Schomburgk.— Description of the Mora tree, (Mora
excelsa). Linnean Transactions, Vol. XVIII.

' Narrative of his recent Botanical

Expedition in Guiana. Annals Nat. Hist., Vol. IV.

■ Report of the Third Expedition into

the interior of Guayana, comprising the Journey to the Sources of the
Essequibo, to the Caruma Mountains and to Fort San Joaquim, on the
Rio Branco, in 1837-8. Journey from Fort San joaquim on the Rio
Branco, to Roraima, and thence by the Rivers Parima and Merewari to
Esmeralda on the Orinoco, in 1838-9. Journey from Esmeralda on the
Orinoco to San Carlos and Moura on the Rio Negro, and thence by
Fort San Joaquim to Demerara, in the Spring of 1839 Geogr. Jour.
(Published separately under the title " Researches in Guayana, in
1 837-9-")

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 27

1840. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — A description of British Guiana,
Geographical and Statistical : Exhibiting its Resources and Capabilities,
together with the present and future condition and prospects of the
Colony. London, 8vo.

Natural History of Fishes of Guiana,

Memoir and Introduction. Jardine's Naturalists' Library, London,
2 Vols., 12 mo., Coloured Plates.

— Views in the Interior of Guiana,

London, Imp. folio, Coloured Plates.

Nees von Esenbeck. — Cyperacece a Schomburgkio in Guiana

Anglica collects, ex Herbario Lindleyano. Hooker's Jour. Bot., Vol. II.

G. Bentham. — On the Heliamphora nutans, a new Pitcher

plant from British Guiana. Linn. Soc. Transact., Vol. XVIII.

Contributions towards a Flora of South

America. — Enumeration of Plants, collected by Mr. Schomburgk in
British Guiana. Hooker's Jour. Bot. Vol., II.

Parliamentary Papers relative to British Guiana, ordered to be

printed nth May, 1840.

1841. Robert Hermann Schomburgk's Reisen in Guiana und am
Orinoko wahrend der jahre 1835-1839. Nach seinen berichten und
Mittheilungen an die Geographische Gessellschaft in London, Heraus-
gegeben von O. A. Schomburgk. Mit einem Vorvvort von Alexander
Von Humboldt und dessen abhandlung iiber einige wichtige, Astro-
nomische Positionen Guiana's. Leipsig, 8vo., Map and Coloured Plates.

G. Bentham. — Contributions towards a Flora of South

America. — Enumeration of Plants collected by Mr. Schomburgk in
Guiana. Hooker's Jour. Bot., Vol. III.

1842. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Expedition to the Lower Parts of
the Barima and Guiania Rivers, in- British Guiana By the Chevalier
R. H. Schomburgk. (Communicated by the Colonial Office) — Excur.
sion up the Barima and Cuyuni Rivers, in British Guiana in 1841.
Geographical Journal.

— — G. Bentham. — Contributions towards a Flora of South
America. — Enumeration of Plants collected by Mr. Schomburgk in
British Guiana. Hooker's Jour. Bot., Vol. IV. Continuation in Lond.
Jour. Bot., Vol. I.

1843. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Visit to the Sources of the Takutu
in British Guiana, in the year 1842. Communicated by the Colonial
Office. Geographical Journal.

D 2

28 TlMEHRI.

1843. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Loose Notes from the Journal of
the Chevalier Schomburgk. Guiana Herald, Feb. 7th and 9th.

G. Bentham. — Contributions towards a Flora of South

America. — Enumeration of Plants collected by Mr. Schomburgk in
British Guiana. London, Jour. Bot., Vol. II.

1844. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Description of a new species of
Calycophylhun from British Guiana.— On two new species of the
Family Laurinece from the Forests of Guiana (Nectandra Rodicsi and
Acrodiclidium Camara.J Hooker's Lond. Jour. Bot., Vol. III.

. ■ Remarks on the Geology of British

Guiana. Read before the Geological Society, Dec. 4.

The Mudar or Ericu (Calotropis

gigantea.) Dem. Royal Gazette, Feb. 24.

1845. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Journal of an Expedition from
Pirara to the Upper Corentyne, and from thence to Demerara, executed
by order of Her Majesty's Government, and under the Command of
Mr. (Now Sir) Robt. H. Schomburgk, K.R.E., Ph.D., &c, &c.
Geographical Journal.

Description of the Murichi or Ita

Palm of Guiana. Read before Brit. Assoc, at Cambridge, June 20.

— Characters of two new Plants dis-
covered in British Guiana by the Chevalier R. H. Schomburgk.
(Alexandra Imperatricis and Barbacenia Alexandrines. J — A description
of Ophiocaryon paradoxum, or the Snake Nut of Guiana. Hooker's
Lond. Jour. Bot., Vol. IV.

G. Bentham. — Contributions towards a Flora of South

America. Enumeration of Plants collected by Sir Robert Schomburgk
in British Guiana, London Jour. Bot., Vol. IV.

1846. G. Bentham. — Contributions towards a Flora of South
America. Enumeration of Plants collected by Sir Robert Schomburgk
in British Guiana. London Jour. Bot., Vol. V.

1847. Richd. Schomburgk.— Reisen in Britisch-Guiana in den
jahren 1840- 1844 im auftrag Sr. Majestat des Konigs von Preussen,
ausgefuhrt von Richard Schomburgk. Nebst einer Fauna und
Flora Guiana's nach vorlagen von Johannes Muller, Ehrenberg,
Erichson, Klotzsch, Troschel, und andern. Mit Abbildungen und
einer Karte von British. Guiana aufgenommen von Sir Robert Schom-
burgk. Leipsig, 3 Vols. 8vo.

The Schomburgks in Guiana. 29

1847. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Description of some grasses and
sedges from the East Coast of Demerara, with remarks on the Geogra-
phical distribution of the species. Annals Nat. Hist., Vol. XX.

1848. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — Sir Walter Raleigh's Discovery
of the large, rich and beautiful Empire of Guiana, with a relation of
the great and golden city of Manoa (which the Spaniards call
El Dorado), etc., performed in 1595 ; reprinted from the edition of 1596,
with some unpublished documents relative to that country ; edited,
with Notes and a Biographical Memoir by Sir R. H. Schomburgk,
Map, 8vo., Hakluyt Society's Publications, Vol. III.

G. Bentham. — Contributions to the Flora of Guiana. Enume-
ration of Plants collected in Guiana by Sir Robert and Richard
Schomburgk and others, London, Jour. Bot., Vol. VII.

1851. Robt. H. Schomburgk. — On the Forest Trees of British
Guiana, and their uses in Naval and Civil Architecture. Read before
the Linnean Society, Dec. 16.

Sir W. J. Hooker. — Victoria Regia, or Illustrations of the

Royal Water Lily, in a series of Figures chiefly made from specimens
flowering at Syon House and Kew, by Walter Fitch, London, Imp.
Folio, Coloured Plates.

1854. G. Bentham. — Notes on North Brazilian Gentianeae, from the
collections of Mr. Spruce and Sir Robert Schomburgk. Hooker's
Jour. Bot., Vol. VI.

1876. Richd. Schomburgk. — Botanical Reminiscences in British
Guiana. Adelaide, 8vo.

Opening up the Country.

By J. E. Tinne.

HIS stereotyped phrase is so loosely applied to
every conceivable scheme or measure which
any one individual calculates to be for the
advantage of himself and his class, that it becomes
seriously worth our while to decide what is a useful
development and what on the other hand is the telescopic
operation of opening out, previous to shutting up, our
existing stability and resources.

Easy access to fertile land, steady markets for our
produce at home and abroad, judicious attempts to
render our whole population more dependent on their
own industry and prudence instead of pauperising their
mind and body by a pseudophilanthropic government,
the discovery of new produces and new industries from
our almost unknown wealth in land and forest, and the
introduction of new scientific and mechanical appliances,
all these may justly be included in the phrase opening
up the country ; but side by side with this we must
remember that there is a too fatal facility in over-rapidly
borrowing money for these purposes, often followed by
an overwhelming burden of public debt, which may
cripple current finance and established interests.

Since 1884, the great peril which threatened cane
sugar, in the enormous increase of bounty-fed beetroot
sugar, has almost passed away. The ability of Baron
De WORMS, backed by the generous support of British

Opening up the Country.

working-men (cosmopolitan in their sympathy for
genuine free trade), has brought within measurable
distance the abolition of the bounty system ; and it is
hardly too much to say that with improved extraction
and evaporation and less building labour, Demerara
planters bid fair to show a steady return upon their in-
vestments, whilst many of the Continental Usines are as
shaky as the Panama Canal. It appears scarcely
credible, and yet the fa6l remains, that cane sugar
for direct consumption at 17/ and 18/ pays better to-
day than it did ten years ago at 23/ to 25/.

In distilling we have much leeway to make up ; our
returns are not generally satisfactory ; and so long as
France and Germany compete in giving high bounties
on spirits, it will possibly pay us better meanwhile to
sell our molasses and improve our knowledge for future
application.

Our next great export is that of greenheart timber,*
and here it is not the want of trees, but the want of a
clear waterway that hinders the industry. If the Govern-
ment will introduce regulations to render the import
and storage of dynamite and other explosives more
easy, the rapids which now impede the passage of rafts
could be removed ; and not only the timber trade, but
gold mining also, would receive a fresh impulse.

Rice already receives substantial protection to the
extent of 25c. per 100 lbs., and shows symptoms of
becoming an established industry here. There is no
possible reason why eventually this colony should not

* A word of recognition should here be given to the fa6l that gold,
not timber, is, at present, our next great export, after sugar and the
allied products, molasses and rum. — Ed.

32 TlMEHRI,

produce its own requirements instead of sending to
India over £100,000 per annum for an inferior article
and paying freight to bring it here. Cocoa cultivation is
steadily gaining ground ; and it is said by some that in
the " wild cocoa" (a totally different plant) which thrives
on the banks of all our rivers, we have a stimulant
beverage from the parched beans as good as cocoa proper.

Efforts to establish a fruit export trade are being made
by Capt. White, and his friends in the United States.
No country can grow better bananas, oranges, and limes ;
nowhere are mangoes so cheap ; and placed within reach
of the buyer, a market may be developed which
would in a short time bring employment to many a man
of small means in the colony.

This leads one on to speak of internal means of com-
munication by road, river, and sea ; and here it is
necessary to a<5t with caution and yet with liberality.
The available land for settlement is already large but
access to it is uncertain ; and nowhere in the world is
combined action more necessary or more difficult for small
settlers, as regards drainage, water-supply, and sea
defences, than in this extensive mud-flat of British
Guiana, with its land four feet below high spring tides,
its very capricious rainfall of 70 to 100 inches, and its
lazy but pleasant climate.

No man in his sober senses would seek de novo to
construct the present railway from Georgetown to
Mahaica, where a steam canal would so much better
have fulfilled all the requirements of the situation ; yet
whilst twenty years ago Mr. CATHER, an Engi-
neer, was blamed for his extravagance in proposing
to continue the line to Berbice, with its existing gauge

Opening up the Country. 33

and rolling stock for the sum of £140,000, ten years
later our late Attorney-General in concert with an
American contractor, Mr. MACKAY, nearly succeeded in
spending £300,000 for an entirely new line from Mahaica
to New Amsterdam, which would have created a void
in our colonial revenue for many years to come.

It would be considerably more profitable to run a tram-
way or an inland canal behind the West Coast of
Demerara, where the increasing disasters on the stone
dams to sea punts and the busy aspect of the highway,
suggest the likelihood of dividends to the private in-
vestor, who reflects that here all the estates' buildings
are nearly in a line instead of being at vastly different
distances from the sea, as on the East Coast.

But if we object to these costly land-lines, that is no
reason why by water much may not be done to improve
our means of intercourse with outlying parts and the
metropolis.

The Settlement steamer might easily call twice a
week at a stelling at Parica ; a boat of similar size
calling twice a week in the Barima, Moruca, and Waini
Rivers might render more prosperous and populated that
already thriving district ; and a canal of no great length,
with locks between the Hayama and Macouria creeks,
would bring Massaruni and its stone quarries within easy
reach of town by river punts.

For the great objects of sea-defence, water-supply, and
drainage, much has been done by Government assistance
and much by private enterprise, no single man having
contributed so much patient and modest labour in this
direction as the late Mr. WILLIAM RUSSELL, whose
efforts in the Lamaha, Boerasirie, East Coast Demerara,

E

34

TlMEHRI.

and Canje water schemes, have rendered his name
imperishable. In nearly all these instances the first out-
lay is so heavy that Government loans are peremptorily
needed to enable the work to be undertaken, and the
greatest care is necessary to expend the money with
economy, or insufficient revenue from the outlay and
consequent loss to the general exchequer may arise. It
is just as great a mistake to expend money upon im-
possible education schemes or colony roads, which no
man of independent judgment ever expe6ted the
authorities could recover, as to spend it for a laudable
obje£fc, but in a lavish and extravagant manner, upon
ventures like the Canals Polder, where works of an
exceedingly solid character, but undue cost, will serve as
monuments to remind the general taxpayer of how he
was bled to gratify the vanity of an official, or to benefit
some special se6tion of the community, at the cost of the
public revenue.

To concentrate our population in the most favoured
spots, and to extend the radius of civilisation with the
utmost caution, is the duty of our rulers : to induce
settlement instead of migration to and from foreign
lands ; and to encourage local industry and thrift by prudent
adjustmentof tariff and internal taxation. All these objects
will be attained if we open out our adopted country in
a way that shall bring us in touch with the outward
world of commerce and knowledge, and lead them to
regard us once more, and deservedly, as the El Dorado
that Sir Walter Raleigh once called our land.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana.

Being a Catalogue of the Specimens in the British Guiana Museum,
collected, named, and arranged by Charles Barrington Brown
late Geological Surveyor of the Colony.

31HE present article forms the first instalment of
the Museum Catalogue which it is intended to
publish serially in "Timehri," until it becomes
possible, by a completion of the identification of various
specimens and their better classification and arrange-
ment, to publish a catalogue in full.

The classified list was prepared, nearly in its present
form, by Mr. Brown, soon after the Survey of the
colony was finished ; and as the collection of rocks and
minerals contains illustrative specimens from all the
various parts of the colony examined, it forms a most
valuable series in connection with the " Reports on the
Geology of British Guiana" prepared for the Govern-
ment by Messrs. SAWKINS and BROWN, the Geological
Surveyors.

In these reports, the various rocks and minerals of the
colony have been classified into four chief groups,
chronologically : —

I. — The alluvial or post-pliocene deposits.
II. — The sandstone formation.
III.— The metamorphic rocks.
IV. — The granitic rocks.
The alluvial deposits consist of a recent alluvium in
swampy districts and bordering small streams all over
the colony, apparently of a very productive nature ; of

R 2

36 TlMEHRI.

the fluvio-marine or coast deposit ; of river loam along
the courses of the rivers, and beyond the coast deposit ;
and of the valley gravel and the sand and clay deposit.

Of these the coast deposit is the most important,
since here are established the various plantations of the
great industry of the colony. It extends along the
whole sea-board, a few feet below the level of spring
tides, inwards to a varying width of from 5 to 35
miles, where it attains a height of about 12 feet. Its
depth is about 100 feet, and it consists of varying layers
of fine sand and bluish clay, with portions of decayed
vegetable matter. The surface soil of this deposit con-
sists of a fertile dark-coloured loam on the estates ;
and beyond them, of a dark earth made up largely of
decayed vegetable remains. Many of the clay beds of
this deposit are suitable for brick-making, while the
bluish-clay below the soil, when burnt, is applied for the
purposes of road-making.

The valley gravel on the great savannahs, and the
sand and clay deposit which underlies the coast deposit
at a depth of about 100 feet near the shore, are to be
regarded as most probably equivalents of each other.
The sand and clay deposit extends inland from the
boundary of the coast deposit, and forms a tract averag-
ing from 60 to 150 feet in height. The white sand of
this deposit, which is very abundant, is generally very
pure and well adapted for glass-making, while the white
clay, especially that obtainable at Oreala on the Coren-
tyne river, seems very suitable for the manufacture of
porcelain and earthenware. Impure oxides of iron are
widely and variously distributed in beds in the alluvia
deposits.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 37

The sandstone formation constitutes a large part of
the Pacaraima Mountains, and crosses all the chief river
systems of the colony. It consists of beds of coarse
conglomerate, red and white sandstone, and red shale ;
and interbedded with these, the plutonic rock, greenstone,
generally occurs, partly contemporaneous and partly
intrusive ; and at their planes of contact the sandstone
usually exhibits considerable alteration. Thin beds of
fine red jasper, suitable for inlaid work, also occur in
some of the layers of this formation.

No fossils have hitherto been found in this sandstone,
so that its geological classification can scarcely be con-
sidered as settled ; but it seems almost certainly to be
an equivalent of the New Red Sandstone. The most dis-
tinctive of the natural features of the colony, are found
in connection with the various conditions of this forma-
tion ; and denudation of a most active kind has been at
work during vast ages to produce conformations as
strange as they are magnificent, instanced best in those
extreme examples, the perpendicular mountain, Ror-
aima, on the inner confines of the colony, and the
unique Kaieteur waterfall on the Potaro.

The greenstone consists chiefly of a coarse variety of
diorite, but its texture and its mineral character are
more or less varied in different places. This rock occurs
either in continuous layers over a large extent of coun-
try, or as isolated hills evidently formed by denudation,
or as extensive dykes piercing through granite, gneiss,
quartz-porphyry and sandstone, over the whole surface
of the colony, and more especially noticeable along
the river courses in the dry seasons. Igneous action
must have been, at the date of eruption, extremely

38 TlMEHRI.

a6tive and widespread ; and it may be that the absence
of fossils from the sedimentary formations is due to this
cause. The practical purposes to which the sandstone
and greenstone might be applied, such as building and
paving in the former case and road-making, for which
the latter is particularly adapted, are negatived by the
fact that the distance and the difficulty of transport
across the rapids of the rivers, would be out of all pro-
portion to the value of the rocks. Masses of ores of
iron, often of considerable size, and small quantities of
manganese ore, are found on, or are associated with, the
greenstone rocks.

The metamorphic rocks include the various schists
(such as mica, hornblende, quartz, talc, and chlorite
schists), the nests and veins of quartz contained in these
schists, and gneiss, with which the schists are associated
in many localities, and of which a very large portion of
the colony is composed. The gneiss rests chiefly on
granite, and is often granitic, so much so that in small hand
specimens it would be almost impossible to determine the
difference; and in fewer cases it becomes even porphyritic.
Garnet crystals and quartz nests are very widely distri-
buted throughout this rock, and an impure graphite
(plumbago) has been found to occur in the Carabung and
the Barima rivers in the schistose rocks. The special
importance of these rocks, however, from an economic
standpoint, lies in the fa6t that gold is widely distributed
among them ; and more systematic search is gradually
bringing to light the still more interesting fact that it is
not only widely, but plentifully, distributed.

The granitic rocks include quartz-porphyry and fel-
stone, and granite proper and syenite. The two former

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 39

are found over the surface of the granite in considerable
layers, and underlying the gneiss. The composition of
the rocks of this group is very variable, the quartz-por-
phyry passing into granite on the one hand, and into
porphyritic felstone and true felstone on the other. Iron-
pyrites often occur in association with them.

Granite is of very common occurrence as a surface
rock throughout the interior of the colony ; and it lies
at the base of all the rocks of the country. Its texture,
colour, and composition are extremely variable, and in
many parts the quartz ranges from the transparent and
white varieties to a beautiful opalaceous variety. It is
very largely quarried for road-making ; but, as orna-
mental stones, the members of this group of rocks are
particularly suitable, more especially the granites with
opalaceous quartz.

Such, in the main, may be advanced as a very brief
recapitulation of some of the chief and more generally
interesting and useful matter, bearing on the rocks and
minerals, to be found in these valuable reports — reports,
however, which, on account of the extreme difficulty of
the investigations made, sadly require extension in order
to place the colony under the class of districts to be
considered as geologically known. Persons specially
interested in the subject should consult the reports for
themselves.

Within the last two or three years considerable attention
has been given to the search for gold, and the metal has
become, as judged by its export value, the basis of the
second industry of the colony — an export second only to
the produces of the sugar industry, sugar, rum, and molasses
—and if the advance that has been so far made in the

40 TlMEHRI.

present year be progressively maintained, the industry
bids fair to be a powerful lever in the opening up of the
interior of the country.

The search for gold has also brought to light the fa6l
that diamonds are to be found in the colony ; and a
sample of one of these, forwarded to Europe by Mr.
GEORGE GARNETT to be cut and polished, was pronounced
to be of good " water," though, being of small size,
practically valueless. Still the fact of the occurrence of
these precious stones in the colony, is interesting and
suggestive.

Another mineral to be added to the colony list, is
Catlinite, a variety of pipe-stone, specimens of which
were obtained by Mr. IM Thurn from the Indians of
Konkarno. This mineral is composed chiefly of a
mixture of hydrated silicates of aluminium, magnesium,
lime, iron, and manganese.

The knowledge that we at present have of the rocks
and minerals of the colony, must be regarded as but the
firstfruits of research, for the gradual development of the
country, with its detailed surveys of the vast forests and
savannahs, now lying useless and unexplored, cannot
but be the means of considerably extending it. — Ed.

I.— POST-PLIOCENE FORMATIONS.

vo.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

I

White clay

Demerata river.

2

Pinkish „

99 91

3

Hydro-oxide of iron and clay

M 91

4

» » >»

Pirara savannah.

5

!> 1) »

Carabung river.

6

II U tf

Woka mountain, Cuyuni river,

7

»> II ')

Pirara.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 41

NO. DESCRIPTION. LOCALITY.

8 Hydro-oxide of iron and clay Siparuni river.

g ,, „ „ Rupununi river.

10 Quartz sand cemented by

oxide of iron Quitaro river. ,

1 1 „ „ „ Demerara river.

12 „ ,, „ Anourime inlet, Rupununi

river.

13-14 Hydro-oxide of iron ... Supinaam river.

15 „ ,, ... Woka mountain, Cuyuni

river.

16 Sand cemented by oxide of

iron ... ... Quitaro river.

17 Oxide of Manganese ... Between Barima and Barama

river.

18 Hydro-oxide of iron ... Wahmara mountain,Upper

Demerara river.

19 Pisolitic hydro-oxide of iron „ „

20 Sand and oxide of iron ... „ „

21 Sand cemented by oxide of

iron ... ... Etunie, Berbice river.

22 Recent conglomerate ... Upper Demerara river.

23 Ironstone pebble, with pol-

ished coating ... ., „

24 White clay (Kaolin) ... Wickie, Berbice river.

25 ,) stained by oxide

of iron ... ... „ „

26-27 White clay (Kaolin) ... Oreala, Corentyne river,

28 Sand cemented by white clay ,, „

29 „ impregnatedwithblack

vegetable matter ... Siparuta, „

30 Coarse angular pebble in

day „ „

31 Salt earth ... ... Chewow river, Ireng savannah.

II.— SANDSTONE FORMATION.

32 Argillaceous sandstone ... Karakanang,Pacaraima moun-

tains.

33 Sandstone ,.. ... Yacali river.

F

42

TlMEHRI.

NO.

DESCRIPTION

LOCALITY.

34-35

Sandstone

...

... Curibiru cataract, Essequebo

river.

36-42

»>

...

... Near Karakanang, Pacaraima
mountains.

43-44

}»

...

Peepee river, „

45

5>

...

... North of Cumararing moun-
tains.

46-47

>>

...

... Itababo island, Essequebo
river.

48-49

))

...

... Below Marlissa rapid, Berbice
river.

50

II

...

... Mouth of Rewa river.

5i

>)

...

... Ekilebah valley, Ireng river.

52-53

II

...

... Arnick valley, Upper Potaro
river.

54

J)

...

... Taiepong savannah.

55

J>

...

... Takutu rapid, Siparuni river.

56

»

...

... Kaieteur fall, Potaro river.

57

))

...

... Aruwai fall, Mazaruni river.

58-59

II

...

... Maccari mountain, Essequebo
river.

60

!>

...

... Cabalebo mouth, Corentyne
river.

61-62

>)

...

... Itabru mountain, Berbice river.

63-64

J>

...

... Base of Twasinki mountain,
Essequebo river.

65-66

)»

...

... Amailah fall, Curiebrong
river.

67-68

1)

...

... Below Akalikatabo island, Cor-
entyne river.

69-70

"

...

... At Akalikatabo island, Cor*
rentyne river.

7i

II

altered

by

contact

with

greenstone

... Woosouter cataraft, Upper

Mazaruni river.

72 »» ••• ... Head of Mazaruni river.

73 Sandstone exhibiting filled

up sun cracks ... Amailah fall, Curiebrong river.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 43

NO. DESCRIPTION. LOCALITY.

74-76 Red shale ... ... Near Encaco village.

77 Jasper from Sandstone beds Curibiru cataraft, Essequebo

river.
78-80 „ ... ... Karakanang.Pacaraimamoun-

tains.

81 Greenish cherty rock in beds Near Waetipu mountains.

82 Conglomerate ... ... Itabru mountain, Berbice river.

83-84 ,, ... ••• Carabung river.

85 „ ... .... Sacaouta,Pacaraima mountains

86-87 „ ... ... Maccari mountain, Essequebo

river.
88 „ ... ... Kaieteur fall, Potaro river.

8q Altered conglomerate ... Below Marlissa rapid, Berbice

90 ,, „ ... Marakang river, Pacaraima

mountains.

91 Junction of sandstone and Cumuti mountains, Essequebo

greenstone river.

92 Greenstone (Diorite) ... Mountain top, above Emoy

river.

93 „ ... ... Roraima mountain.

94 ... Pacaraima mountains.

95-96 „ ... ... Tumatumari cataraft, Potaro

river.

97 j) ••• ••• Upper Essequebo river.

98 „ ... ... Demerara river.

99-101 „ ... ... Cumuti mountain, Essequebo

river.

102 „ ... ... Siparuni river.

103 ,, ... ... Upper Essequebo river.

104 „ ... ... ,, Rupununi river.

105 ... Potaro river.

106 „ ... ... Mattapi, Corentyne river.

107 „ ... ... Rupununi river.

108 ., ... ... Cuyuni river.

109 „ ... ... Pacaraima mountains.

110 ..... ... Upper Essequebo river.

111 »» ... ., Rupununi river.

112 „ ... ... Cuyuni river.

F2

44

TlMEHRI.

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

"3

Greenstone

(Diorite)

Cuyuni river.

114

91

Mazaruni river.

"5

SI

...

Near Enamouta.

116

♦»

Quitaro river.

117

1)

...

,, savannah, near Shea.

118

»

Siparuni river.

119

J)

Upper Essequebo river.

120

„

Near Peaimah fall.

121

..

Below ,,

122

>t

New river.

123

V

Cuyuni river.

124-125

0

...

Mazaruni river.

126

)1

Woosouter cataract, Mazaruni
river.

127

II

...

Siparuni river.

128

>l

...

Near Manarie, Barima river.

129

II

Cuyuni river.

130

l>

...

Below Cobanatout cataract,
Potaro river.

131

II

with iron

pyrites

Mazaruni river.

132

if

with chlorite

>< >>

133

Fine grain

ed

greenstone ...

Potaro river.

134

.,

Demerara river.

135

„

Rupununi river.

136

,,

Mazaruni river.

137

Cuyuni river.

138

Mount Istua, near Pomeroon

139

140-141 Vesicular diabase

142 Compact greenstone
143-144 Amygdaloidal greenstone
containing kernels of
natrolite, glauconite and
calcspar
145 Porphyritic greenstone

river.
Siparuni river.
Revva river.
Curua rapid, Rupununi river.

Warrutu cataract,
river.

Potaro

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 45

NO. DESCRIPTION.

146 Porphyritic greenstone
147

148 Coarse diorite ...

149-150

151 Porphyritic greenstone

152 Amygdaloidal ,,

153 Botryoidal haematite in cavi-

ties, in greenstone

154 Natrolite from cavities in

greenstone ...

LOCALITY.

Pacutout cataraft, Potaro river.
Near Carabung mouth, Maza-

runi river.
Above Turisi cataract, Maza-

runi river.
Near Teboco cataract, Maza-

runi river.
Curuni river, Corentyne river.
Above Paumbo island, Esse-

quebo river.

Roraima mountain.

Curua rapid, Rupununi river.

III.— METAMORPHIC FORMATIONS.

1 55

Decomposing

mica schist

Warrerie, Cuyuni river.

156

Mica schist

...

Totohwow river, Carawaimen-,
tow mountain.

157-158

»

Barama river.

159-162

)»

Carabung river.

163

Talc schist

...

Cuyuni river.

164

0

Puruni river.

165

Mica schist

...

Curiebrong river.

166-167

11

Near Peaimah fall.

168

>)

Barama river.

169-170

Chlorite schist

Issano river, Mazaruni river,

171-172

• >

...

Cuyuni river.

i73

„

Barama river.

174-176

Hornblende schist

Curuni river, Corentyne river.

177

11

Itaburro river, Upper Deme-
rara river.

178

11

Mazaruni river.

179

Micaceous iron

schist

Barama river.

180-181

,,

11

Carawaimentow mountain.

182

Quartz schist

Barama river.

183

it

...

Upper Essequebo river.

46

TlMEHRI.

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

IS4

Quartz schist ...

Aramatan river, Corentyne
river.

18S

,, ... ...

Cuyuni river.

186

„

Curuni river, Corentyne river.

187

Decomposing mica schist

Curiebrong river.

188

Plumbago from schist

Manicuru river, Barima river.

189

Manganese in slaty rock ...

Beyond Weyamou, Mazaruni
river.

190-192

Quartz containing gold ...

Warrerie, Cuyuni river.

193

Quartz vein

Curiebrong river.

194

„

Near Issano, Mazaruni river.

195-201

„

Cuyuni river.

202-203

,, from quartz por-

phyry

Between Mora and Ireng
river.

204

„

Mazaruni river.

205-205

Quartz veins ...

Pacaraima mountains.

207

11 ••• •••

Demerara river.

208

„ (bluish)

Cuyuni river.

209

,. >.

Barama river.

210

(rusty)

>>

211-212

Quartz

Annai mountain, Rupununi
river.

213

Pomeroon river.

214

Manarie.

215

Barama river.

216

,,

Rewa river.

217

Amutu fall, Potaro river.

218-220

Quitaro river, savannah.

221-222

Anourime inlet, Rupununi
river.

223-224

Opalaceous quartz

Achramucra, Essequebo river.

225-227

>) »

Quitaro river, savannah, near
Shea.

228

Quartz, with schorl crystals

,,

229

,, „ iron pellets ...

" > 1

230

Quartz crystals...

Near Karakanang, Pacaraima

mountains.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 47

NO. DESCRIPTION. LOCALITY.

231 Quartz crystals from drusy

cavity ... ... Takutu river.

232 Gneiss, with granite vein Waini river, cataraft.
233-235 •» .. .. Barama river.

236-237

ii

»

Cuyuni river.

238

H

11 ..

Mazaruni river.

239-240

»

„

Dowacaima catara£t, Barama
river.

241

>>

11 99

Rewa river.

242-245

,1

)9 99

Upper Essequebo rivsr.

246-25 1

II

>.

Quitaro river.

252-253

II

-> »

Rewa river.

254-255

II

with garnets

Quitaro river.

256-258

1}

11

Upper Essequebo river.

259

„

,,

Barama river.

260-263

I,

,, ...

Upper Essequebo river.

264

.,

»> •••

Rewa river.

265

91

it ...

New river. Corentyne.

266-271

99

ii ...

Above King Fred. Wm. IV.
cataract, Corentyne river.

272

99

11 .«.

Curuni river, Corentyne
river.

273

„

(porphyritic)...

Demerara river.

274

1;

11 •••

Quitaro river.

275-276

11

ii ...

Near Suwaraowra river, Ta-
kutu savannah.

277-278

Decomposing gneiss

Warrerie, Cuyuni river.

279

jj

Carabung.

280 Quartzose rock in gneiss Upper Essequebo river.

281 Pitchstone . ,, ... ,,
282-283 Gneiss with garnets ... ' ,,

IV.— GRANITE AND GRANITIC ROCKS.

284 Partially decomposed quartz-

porphyry

285 ,, j, ,, ... Siparuni river.

286 ,, ,, ,, ... Takutu, Siparuni river.

287 ,, ,, ,, ... Itabru mountain, Berbice river.

48

Ti

MEHRI.

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

288

Quartz-porphyry

... Ouropocari cataract, Esse

quebo river.

289-296

,,

... Pacaraima mountains.

297-299

13 ...

... Siparuni river.

300

,, ...

... Ouropocari cataract. Esse-
quebo river.

30I

,| ...

... Maikong-pati, Cotinga river.

302-304

)j ...

... Siparuni river.

305-306

)] ...

... Cassikitu rapid, Upper Esse-
quebo river.

307

>» •••

... Below Christmas catara£t>
Berbice river.

308-309

,, ...

... Near Siparuni mouth.

310

], ...

... Maccari mountain, Essequebo
river.

3"

j] ...

... Annai mountain, Rupununi
river.

312

J) •••

... Mora, Rupununi river.

3i3

>> ••■

... Siparuni river.

3i4

., ...

... Amuccu mountain, Upper
Essequebo river.

315

JJ

... Between Mora and Ireng
river.

316

])

... Siparuni river.

317-31S

5, ...

... Between Itabru and Christ-
mas cataracts.

319

|,f

... Pacaraima mountains.

320-322

Jl •••

... Siparuni river.

323-324

)> ...

... Pacaraima mountains.

325

Felsto

ne

... Marakang, Pacaraima moun-
tains.

326

n

...

... Between Itabru and Christ-
mas cataracts.

327

>>

...

... Demerara and Essequebo
rivers on Cumparu path.

328

M

... Siparuni river.

329-330

•1

...

... Christmas cataract, Berbice
river.

Rocks and Minerals of British Guiana. 49

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

331-333

Felstone

334

„

335

„

336

\

337-338

a ...

339

ji ...

340

Petrosilex

34i

Porphyritic felstone

342 „ ...

343 » -
344-346 „ ...

347 .. •••

348-350 ,. ...

351 Granitic quartz-porphyry ...

352 Decomposed granite

353 Granulite

354-357 Granite with garnets

358-359 ,, with opalaceous

quartz
360 „ „ ...

361

II

362-363

..

364

Gneissose graniti

365-373

Granite

374

„

375

»

376-379

,,

380

,i ..

381

» ...

LOCALITY.

Mora, Rupununi river.
Pacaraima mountains.
Cassikitu, Upper Essequebo.
Above Wonotobo catara6t,

Corentyne.
Essequebo river.
Mora, Rupununi river.

j> >>

Itabru cataraft, Berbice

river.
Near Marlissa rapid, Berbice

river.
Pacaraima mountains.
Burro-burro river.
Archieculleck village.
Between Mora and Ireng

river.
Near Tomatai, Corentyne river.
New river.

Mariwaru, Barama river.
Upper Essequebo, above King

Wm. IV. cataract.

382

Corentyne river, below King
Fred. Wm. IV. cataraft.
,, Wonotobo cataract
Upper Berbice river.
,, Rupununi river.

11

Curiebrong river.

Christmas cataract, Berbice

river.
Mazaruni river.
Cuyuni river.
Anourime inlet, Rupununi

river.
Canyaballi river,

50

TlMEHRl

:.

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

383-386

Granite

Cuyuni river.

387-388

,,

Essequebo river.

389

• »

Demerara river.

390

„

Barama river.

391

„

Waini river.

392

„

...

Calishadekeur rock,

393

»»

Otonam rock, Quitaro savan-
nah.

394-397

»t

...

Quitaro savannah.

398-399

»

Apaoqua, Barama river.

400-401

"

...

Near Enamouta, Pacaraima
mountains.

402

»»

...

Groote creek.

403

j>

Ataraipu rock.

404

)>

...

Shea ,,

405

>,

...

Rewa river.

406-408

,,

...

Quitaro river.

409

j'

Cutari river, Corentyne.

410-41 1

11

Near Mabouroo, Demerara
river.

412

i»

H. M. Penal Settlement.

4i3

,,

Curiebrong river.

414-416

>,

...

Mazaruni river.

4I7-4I9

•)

New river, Corentyne.

420

11

Near Marlissa rapid, Berbice
river.

421

u

...

Taruma Field, Upper Esse-
quebo river.

422-427

11

...

Upper Berbice river.

428

"

•••

Wonotobo cataract, Corentyne
river

429

Coarse gran

ite veins

Cuyuni river.

43o

11

it

Quitaro river.

431-433

11

11 ...

Sir W. Raleigh's cataraft,
Cuyuni river.

434

Granite with schorl crystals

Upper Corentyne river.

435

Schorl from

granite

)> 51

436

Felspar

" "•

Above King Wm. IV. fall,
Essequebo r.vcr

Rocks atjd Minerals of British Guiana. 51

NO.

DESCRIPTION.

LOCALITY.

437

Syeni

te

... Barama river.

438

».

,, Cariacu.

439-440

..

Demerara river.

441

„

... Carabung river.

442

f>

... Cuyuni river.

443

i»

... Between Surama and Annai.

444

,.

... Cuyuni river.

445

»•

Rupununi river.

446

,.

New river, Corentyne.

447

)>

... Above King Wm. IV. fall,
Essequebo river.

448

>.

... Curiebrong river.

449

>>

... Surama savannah.

45o

>»

Between Surama and Annai.

45i

Syenite

... Below King Wm. IV. cataract,

Essequebo river.

^52-453

Quartz from

syenite

... Anourime inlet, Rupununi

river.

454

Haematite

(specular iron

ore) ... ... Daruwow, Upper Rupununi

savannah.

c a

The Settled Fortions of the Barima, Waini, and
Amahura Riuers.

By H. I. Perkins, F R.G.S., ist Government Surveyor.

[O anyone who is a good sailor and fond of the

sea, a journey to the Barima River, in a

comfortable schooner or sloop, such as those

which belong to the Police Department of this colony,

.may be recommended as one of the most pleasant and

enjoyable short trips within his reach.

The shortest and quickest route to the Barima is by
sea to the mouth of the Waini River, and thence through
the Morawhanna passage ; another way is by sea direct
to the Barima mouth ; and yet another, but the longest
and a very tedious one, by sea to Suddie, thence over-
land to the Anna Regina Water Path, and on by boat
through the Tapacooma Lake, Pomeroon, Moruca, Barra-
manni and Waini Rivers, to the Morawhanna passage.

The journey to the Waini occupies from twenty-three
to twenty-four hours, and, with a fair wind, a fine cloud-
less sky, and a well-kept craft, proves enjoyable in the
extreme.

The larger schooners usually take a course of from
seven to ten miles from shore, where the water loses
much of its muddy colouring and is of a pale grass-green
instead of a dirty brown. The sea is full of swarms of
medusa-like bodies which are present literally in millions ;
and occasionally one sees numbers of the Portuguese
man-of-war floating lightly on the surface of the water,
shining with iridescent hues in the bright sunlight. But

Barima, Waini, and Amakura Rivers. 53

it is at night, our glorious tropical night, when the con-
stellations shine with such distinctness through the clear
air, that the sea presents the most charming of sights ;
for the water is then vividly phosphorescent, and as the
vessel ploughs her way through it, she leaves a perfe6t
galaxy of light behind her, while around her is an ever-
present halo of twinkling star flashes. Far away to
where the crest of some wave breaks into foam, a faint
glimmer, rendered pale and ghostly by the distance,
rests on the water, like the wraith of some drowned
mariner whose body has long ago sunk peacefully
to rest to the bottom of the great unchanging ocean.

As the mouth of the Waini is neared, a few low forest-
clad hills can be seen close to the horizon on, the south-
west, rising up above the long low streak of wooded
coast line. They are situated on the Arooka, a stream
tributary to the Barima, and are composed of haematite,
sand, and clay.

At its mouth, the Waini is about two and a half miles
in width, but extremely shallow and quite unnavigable
for vessels drawing much water. The banks are low,
chiefly mud, though sand and caddy occur near the mouth,
and particularly on the east side where there are a few
rough huts erecled and used by the inhabitants of
the Upper Barima, who sometimes come to fish close
by.

Higher up, the banks are all mud, except near the falls
where there are sandy beaches.

. On the west, about two miles up from the sea, is to be
noticed what is supposed to be the site of a pitch lake,
which presents a curious appearance when seen from a
distance, for the dense mass of green forest suddenly

V|>

54 TlMEHRI.

changes to a dull, dead white, for about a mile ; and bare,
gaunt, leafless trees spread out their withered branches
against the sky. It is impossible at a venture to surmise
what has caused the death of the vegetation. Perhaps
there is really a substratum of pitch below the mud on
top, for thick brown mud is the surface covering, and
the tree roots may have struck this impenetrable sub-
stance, and meeting with no nourishment therefrom have
died. The only way, however, to test the truth of the
reported presence of bitumen, will be to make borings or
excavations for some considerable depth downwards,
and very possibly something of that nature may be dis-
covered.

There certainly does appear to be an indication of the
presence of petroleum, for in many cases the surface of
the small pools of water at the place is covered with a
thin film of oleaginous matter, which phenomenon occurs ,
also near the Barima sand Police Station at the Barima
mouth.

About six miles from this putative pitch lake, and on
the same bank of the river, is the Morawhanna or ./Eta
palm passage, about ninety yards in width, which leads
by a more or less winding course of six and a half miles
to the Barima River.

At its Waini end, it is the haunt of numbers of water
fowl, currie-currie (Eudocimus ruber), muscovy ducks
(Cairina moschata) , and wicissi ducks (Dendrocygna
autumnalis) , besides the local snipe (Gallinago frenata) ,
and one or two species of sandpiper and other waders.
Occasionally a heron (Ardea), may be seen standing
statue-like at the side of the stream, or, when alarmed,
winging its heavy flight into the forest beyond. Parrots

Barima, Waini, and Amakura Rivers. 55

and wood doves are met with higher up, while now and
then one disturbs from their fishing a ducklar and his
mate ( P lotus anhinga).

A peculiar feature of this passage is the remarkable
swiftness of its current, both at ebb and flow, and the
presence of large trees which have been washed down
and anchored by their roots, and have become fixed in the
centre of the channel, where they sway, bend, creak and
groan, as the water swirls past them at the rate of five
or six miles an hour. As the distance from the sea of the
Barima and Waini ends of the passage, is respectively
fifty-one and eight miles, there is considerable difficulty
in comprehending the state of the water in the passage,
for sometimes it is falling at one end and rising at the
other, and vice versa, or rising or falling at both ends,
according to the state of the tide in the sea at the time.

At the Morawhanna mouth, the Barima is about two
hundred and ten yards wide and from eighty to ninety
feet deep ; the water is of a dark brown colour, and
sweeps away on either hand in bold, broad, wind-swept
reaches. At various points where the bush has been
cleared away along the bank, little clouds of smoke
betray the presence of the settler or squatter, who has
made a home for himself and is busily engaged in culti-
vating many kinds of ground provisions.

In all there are some fifty or sixty different clearings
situated on the banks of the Waini, Morawhanna,
Barima, Arooka, Kaituma, and Amakura Rivers.
Nearly all of them are well drained, being provided with
dams and trenches, and outfall kokersT The land has,
in the first instance, been cleared of bush by Indians
(employed for the purpose, as they are more accustomed

Ul

tt

56 TlMEHRI.

to the use of the axe than the Portuguese and other
settlers), and then planted up. The owner of a clearing
usually does most of the work on it himself, but some
employ coolies, or Indians, or black people. The Indians
belong for the most part to the Warrau tribe, though
there are Caribs and Arrawaks also to be met with. Near
the mouth of the Barima is a Warrau settlement, situated
some distance from the river-side, the road to which lies
through a heavy swamp and is composed of tree trunks
laid lengthwise, end to end, and affords at best a pre-
carious foot-hold. All communication between the
^ settlements is by water, and there is a curious system
of itaboos, or water-ways, leading from one river to
another, so that in the rainy season it is possible to pass
from the Moruca River directly into the Orinoco without
putting to sea once.

As is usual in such districts, nearly every one possesses
either a woodskin, corial or bateau; while one or two
of the more wealthy settlers own small schooners or
sloops, which they employ to convey to town the
produce of their provision lands, such as tannias, corn*
plantains, bananas, and yams. Owing, however, to the
unfavourable winds which frequently blow for long
periods in a contrary direction, and make the passage
from the Waini to town of several days' duration
(sometimes as many as seven or eight), the more easily
perishable crops become over-ripe and spoil, and great
hardship is thus inflicted on the squatters. Corn, therefore,
is by far the most remunerative crop, and there is a
small trade done in it with schooners which come from
Bolivar, on the Orinoco, or from one of the ports in the
Gulf of Paria; but there is no regularity in their visits,

Barima, Waini, and Amakura Rivers. 57

and in consequence most of it comes to George-
town.

The land seems to promise well for cocoa, for though
flat and swampy, it is extremely fertile, being dark, rich,
and heavy, and easily drained. In appearance the soil
looks like a heavy peaty clay, mixed with fibrous roots,
and largely composed of decayed vegetable matter.
Cocoa would of course be less liable to spoil in transit
than the ordinary produce, and if carefully packed
would be almost proof against deterioration ; but it
is notoriously a crop which requires a long waiting,
and the settlers could scarcely afford to plant it ; though,
in the end, it would pay them very much better than
anything else.

On one or two of the hills in the Arooka River there ' ($ t '
are both cocoa and coffee trees of very considerable age.
Some are quite surrounded and choked by the bush that
has sprung up by them ; while the name of the planter
is already lost in obscurity.

In the event of a large and regular fruit trade being
established between this colony and the United States
of America, the whole portion of the district watered by
the Barima, Amakura and Waini Rivers and their tribu-
taries, below their falls, would offer a magnificent field
for enterprise as a fruit-producing region, both on account
of its extreme fertility and of its easy access by water,
whereby the number of trans-shipments of the produce
would be considerably fewer, and the risk of damage
thereto materially lessened.

The Waini it is true is very shallow, but no doubt
this difficulty could be easily overcome. The Barima
and Amakura on the contrary are deep, and would

H

58 TlMEHRI.

permit of the passage of vessels of large size, which
could be loaded at the very farms where the fruit wouW
be grown. The amount of land now lying idle can be
reckoned literally by hundreds of thousands of acres,
and is, to outward appearances, as judged by following
the course of the various rivers, uniformly flat, rich,
and swampy.

A peculiarity of all these western streams is the
absence of mucco-mucco (Montrichardia arborescens)
from their banks ; and this is the more extraordinary and
incomprehensible, when it is considered how very abundant
this plant is on all our more eastern rivers. For
many miles on the Barima, etc., nothing green meets
the eye but one almost unending wall of man-
grove trees (Rhizophora mangal) , which renders the
scenery somewhat dull and uninteresting ; though, as if to
make up for this monotony, the trunks of the trees are
in many places covered with a small profusely flowering
orchid, whose sweet smelling blooms possess quite a
strong odour of fresh honey. Now and then too one sees
the flower spike of another common arboreal orchid,
Oncidium altissimum, which throws out a spray of
yellow and brown blossoms, some twelve to fifteen feet
in length, that sways gently to and fro in the breeze like a
delicate lace streamer.

As the Moravvhanna passage is neared, one catches at
intervals glimpses of troolie palms (Manicaria saccifera)
and other trees in the bush, behind the fringe of mangrove.
This is, however, very seldom, and the mangrove is the
predominant tree on the river bank. Over their tops fly
numbers of macaws (Ara, sp.J and parrots passing to
and from their feeding grounds in the acta palm swamp

Barima. Waini, and Amakura Rivers. 59

situated far from the river side ; and sometimes the white-
headed maroudi (Pipile cumanensis) and powis (Crax
aleclor) , frequent the riverside near the same spot.

Animal life does not appear to be very abundant in
the district, owing perhaps to the vast extent of swamps
all around. The only mammal of any peculiar interest that
I was able to procure, was a species of bat (Thyroptera
tricolor) which has curious circular suckers on its wings and
legs, one on each wing near the shoulder, and one on each
leg. Besides these it is provided with the usual hook-like
appendages on the shoulders, and the small ill-developed
feet common to this order of animals. It was dis-
covered, along with many more of the same kind, inside
the partially unrolled leaf of a plantain tree, to which it
was no doubt fastened by its suckers. I have a belief that
there are many strange forms of insects to be discovered
in the neighbourhood, and hope to devote some spare
time to them on a future occasion. Fish abound in the
rivers, chief amongst them being the Morocot, which
sometimes attains a large size and weighs upwards of
twenty or thirty pounds. The inhabitants dry and salt
them, and if this were done more largely it would
form a valuable article of commerce, particularly in the
colony itself.

There is, for the immense size of the district, a very / / (
well regulated system of Police Stations established — one
at Barramanni capable of accommodating some three
or four men with an Inspector's quarters, a lock-up, etc. ;
another at the Morawhanna for six constables and an in-
spector, with lock-up, boat-house, stelling, etc. ; and another
at the Barima mouth, where quite 20 men could be tempo
rarily billeted.- The erection of another station is contem-

H2

60 TlMEHRI.

plated at the Amakura river, and with this the water-
ways for the whole of the North-Western District will be
efficiently guarded and patrolled. This will give every
feeling of security to those already settled in the district,
and to intending settlers ; so that, with the advantages
already enumerated, the land should be rapidly taken up,
and a prosperous future confidently expected for it.

A Fragment of Berbice History.

By C. G. Young, M.A., M.D.

ROM the first introduction of slaves, the pre-
servation of the internal tranquillity of the
colony was a matter of great anxiety to the
colonists and the government of the day — an anxiety
which increased with the population. With the
exception of a handful of soldiers at Fort Nassau, far
up the Berbice River, and at Fort St. Andries (now part
of the Lunatic Asylum lands), at the mouth of the
Canje Creek — kept there more to prevent foreign inva-
sion and to look after the shipping — there was no
regular force to keep down disturbances on the
estates or oppose the attacks of the " runaways,"
until the Burgher Regulation was passed by the Governor
and Court of Government of the Colony of Berbice, on
the 9th January, 1768, and the Burgher Militia of Ber-
bice raised. Peace depended on the mutual efforts of
the residents on the estates. Under this regulation the
residents were called on to obey the order of the
burgher officers when they, pursuant to superior orders,
and for the benefit and security of the colony in general
and of each inhabitant in particular, were under the
necessity of directing that an expedition into the woods
be made against runaway negroes.
This regulation stipulated that : —

I. — All inhabitants, in conformity to their oath to the
Governor and Council, shall obey and respect the burgher
officers, and comply with their orders in all matters res-

62 TlMEHRI.

peeking the " Public Service," without any resistance or
opposition : and in case of a contrary behaviour on their
part, they shall, on the complaint of the officers, incur
a penalty of 300 guilders ; the court reserving to itself
the increasing of such fine or the inflicting of another
punishment on the offenders as circumstances may
require.

2. — In case of an expedition either for pursuing run-
away negroes or other purposes required by the public
service, each estate shall furnish such a number of whites
and slaves as may be demanded of it ; and it is also
ordered on such occasions, that the burgher captains or
the officers who, on account of the former's being
absent or otherwise prevented, may command in the
district, shall apply to the Governor or the nearest
member of the Court of Government, in order to con-
cert the mode of carrying such expedition into effect in
the most equal manner with respe6t to the furnishing of
whites and slaves ; and that a relative equality on this
head may the better be observed, every owner, attorney,
or manager of any estate or estates, shall be obliged to
give in every year, in the month of January, to the
burgher captain of his district, a return of all the work-
ing or efficient men-slaves on such estate or estates.
Those who shall omit giving in such a return, to incur
for the first time, a fine of fifty guilders, for the second
of their so omitting, a fine of 100 guilders, and for the
third time, such corredtion as the court, according to the
exigency of the case, shall judge proper.

3. — No persons shall be exempt from such requisition,
but be obliged to render the assistance demanded of
them ; and if any person shall neglect in case of any

A Fragment of Berbice History. 63

expedition being set on foot, to furnish the fixed quota
of whites and slaves and to send them to the place of
rendezvous appointed, he shall incur for such neglect, a
fine of 300 guilders, or even, should circumstances re-
quire it, be punished as a perjurer.

As experience had manifested that there were persons
in the colony who, notwithstanding this regulation and
the oath they had taken on the same, thought proper
not to obey the burgher officers, it was modified and
renovated in an extraordinary assembly held at the
Court House in New Amsterdam, on June the 6th, 1799.
Present: — His Excellency A. J. VAN Imbyze Van Baten-
BURG, Governor-General, President, and the Honourable
Counsellors I. de Vry JACOBZOON, J. C. W. Herlin,
L. C. Abbensets, A. Donzel, L. H. Buse, and J. Tapin.

Beside these duties mentioned the burgher officer had to
keep a return of all the runaway slaves from his district,
and to see that the law was administered within its
boundaries, which were very well defined. The colony
was divided into ten districts, these being: —

1. — The town district from the west bank of the
Canje Creek to Overwinning sideline on the east bank
of the Berbice river, and including New Amsterdam and
the town estates.

2. — The Canje Creek district, including all the Canje
estates and the creek to its source.

3. — The east sea coast district from the east banks of
the Canje Creek to the west bank of the Devil's Creek,
and including Fort St. Andries.

4. — The Corentyne coast district extending from the
east bank of the Devil's Creek to Lot 80 (Skeldon).
There could not have been much traffic to Skeldon and

64 TlMEHRI.

Eliza and Mary in those days, overland, when the
Government could get no reply to applications for ten-
ders to keep the ferry over 66 creek. /

5. — The east bank district extending from Overwinning
to Christina's Lust on the Berbice River, and including
Pin. Providence, Everton, Friends, and Highbury.

6. — The middle district from Christina's Lust, includ-
ing both banks upwards to Fort Nassau.

7. — The upper district from Fort Nassau upwards as
far as the river was inhabited.

8. — The west bank district from New Berensteyn to
the upper bank ot Kabour Creek.

9. — The lower west bank district from the lower bank
of Kabour Creek to Rosignol.

10. — The west sea coast district extending from Rosig-
nol to the Abary Creek.

To facilitate communication with Fort St. Andries
along the sea coasts, flag stations were erected at
various places with flagstaffs 60 feet high, and a code
of signals — a plan of Major Ratterij's — adopted so that
they could tell at the Fort if any disturbance
had arisen. On the west coast there was a station
on each of the following places : — No. 8, Bath, Lovely
Lass beyond Hopetown, Lot 28, Weldaad, and the Abary
Creek. On the east coast the stations were on Susannah,
Industry, East Lothian, and at the Devil's Creek.

For service in tbe militia, an age limit was fixed — -men
between the ages of sixteen and fifty only being re-
quired to serve. Each man, the officers excepted, had to
provide himself with a musket capable of carrying
an one ounce ball, cross belts, cartouch box to con-
tain twenty-four cartridges, two flints, a pricker

A Fragment of Berbice History. 65

and a brush; also as uniform, a shell of white Russian
sheeting with green collar and cuffs, white pantaloons,
and white gaiters.

The officers had to provide themselves with a green
shell with black velvet collar and cuffs, a white vest,
pantaloons, and gaiters. There was no mention of hel-
mets or bayonets.* There was one company for each
districl, and certain rules were laid down for time of
training and exercise, and when to come up for inspection ;
and in case of a disturbance they were directed to mus-
ter at one particular spot, the head-quarters of the com-
pany, where there was a flagstaff. The signal was, in
the day time, the firing of two shots and the hoisting of a
red flag; at night, the two shots and the hoisting of two
lamps. In the town districl; the rendezvous was at the
flagstaff in front of the Colony House; in the Canje
Creek, at Pin. Adelphi ; in the east sea coast districl,
at Pin. Kendals ; in the Corentyne coast districl, at
No. 11 (beyond Pin. Port Mourant) and Kiltearn ; in
the east bank districl, at Brothers; in the west bank
districl, at Bestendigheid ; in the middle distri6t, at Pln<
Essendam ; in the upper districl, at Pin. Maria Agnes ; in
the west coast districl, at the Abary Creek; and in the
lower west bank districl, at Ithaca.

The only persons exempt from serving were members
of the Government, parsons, doclors, and Indians.

Such a contribution of whites and slaves must have been
a heavy tax on the estates' proprietors, especially as

* In Captain Stedman's Narrative of an Expedition against the
Revolted Negroes of Surinam, 1772-77, the drawings show some of the
soldiers carrying bayonets and some not : the head-gear depended on
the taste of the wearer.

J

66 TlMEHRI.

riots and raids from the runaways were frequent. This
system of police had nothing to do with attacks from
the outside. To prevent invasion special arrangements
were made, and instructions given, for a yearly return of
all able-bodied residents on the coast estates, that
immediate intimation should be sent to Fort St. Andries
of the first appearance of invaders, and that the bridges
should be pulled down and the roads destroyed between
the place of landing and New Amsterdam.

Besides all this, on the advice of Sir Ralph Aber-
cromby, Commander-in-Chief, in 1797, the Governor-
General and Court raised and furnished a company
of black troops which were to be added to the
corps of South American Rangers in Demerara, at
this time commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel His-
lop, for the mutual protection of the two colonies.
The company consisted of one hundred and twelve
negroes, viz., five sergeants, five corporals, two drum-
mers, and one hundred privates, and was raised by
asking so many men from each estate according to its
size. The town and fort at Nassau contributed one man,
and the shops in New Amsterdam five.

Each of the following estates gave one man : — Eduard,
Mon Choisi and Eddertown, and Zee Zight (now called
Cotton Tree), Zorg-en-Hoop, De Vryheid (town estate),
Fransenburg, Augsburg, Jacoba Wilhelmina, De Hoop(
De Vrouwe Johanna, Grauw Bunderland, Johanna, Farm,
De Gennes, De Catoenboom, Ross, Zeeburg, Washing-
ton, Williamstadt, Ruimzigt, Overyssel, Rotterdam,
Novit Gedagt, Welgeleegen, Stevensburg, Paradise
Middelburg, Welvaren, Perseverance, Bellevue (now
part of Everton), Vigilantie, Het Plegtanker, La Pru-

A Fragment of Berbice History. 67

dence, Prins Willem de Vde, Dankbaarheid and Nomen
Nescio, Ithaca, Catharina Rust de naarstigheid en de
onderneeming (between Bath and Hopetown), La Fra-
ternit, Beatendigheid, Sans Souci, Beerenstein, Horsten-
burg, Golden Fleece.

Each of the following estates gave two men : — Nieuwe
Hoop, Buses Lust, Schepmoed (where the Magistrate's
Court now stands), Waakzaemheid, BlcemhofT and Pros-
periteit, Anna dementia, Resolutie, Op hoop van Beeter,
Blyendaal, Gelderland, Standvastigheid, Dageraad, St.
Hage, L'Esperance.

Each of the following estates gave three men : —
Leifde, Essendam, Utile and Paisible, Den Arend and
La Tranquillite, Santvoort, Lust tot Rust, Zuidwyk,
Schumachers Lust, De Herstelling, Mara and Germania,
Cruizburg and Dankbaarheid.

On the first of June in the same year, it was further
settled that the above specified proportions were to be fur-
nished and forwarded, on Saturday the first of July next,
to Fort St. Andries, where Lieutenant-Colonel HlSLOP
would attend on that day, in order to examine the
negroes, and to receive them if approved of.

The negroes to be furnished were to be tall and able-
bodied men, every way fit for His Majesty's service, and
consequently were to be such as bore a good character,
and were free from any rupture or sores whatever, and so
far as could be ascertained, of the age of seventeen to
five and twenty years.

For each negro furnished, in consequence of this
order, the person furnishing the same was to receive a sum
of one thousand guilders. In order to find the necessary
funds for this compensation, and that the whole colony

J2

68 TlMEHRI.

might in due proportion contribute, the slaves were taxed
at the rate of nine- guilders per head. The whole of this
Capitation Tax was ordered to be paid in the course of
the same month to the Receiver-General, Peter Hagens.
With this view it was enacted that persons who were
not possessed of estates should make payment in specie
or in colony bills ; and that those who did possess estates
should have orders drawn on them by Peter Hagens for
the amount of their proportion, payable at sight, in cur-
rent coin of the colony — the orders not to exceed ioo
guilders each.

Whoever preferred it had permission to pay in cash,
provided it was paid before the end of the month.

Those living in the colony in those days must have
had a rather lively time of it between the fear of inva-
sion on the outside, the discontented on the estates, and
the runaway slaves in the interior of the county. As
trouble diminished on the sea, it appeared to increase on
the plantations among the people, and came to a head
about the year 1814. Up to this date, year after year,
some ordinance was passed restricting, little by little,
what freedom the slaves possessed.

To prevent them communicating with one another, they
were not allowed out at night in the town after seven
o'clock without a lamp and a pass from their owner
stating whither they were going ; and this pass could
be used only once. No slave was allowed to go from one
estate to another at night ; if found so doing, they were
put in the stocks. They could not possess a canoe ; and
to prevent communication by signals, they were not
allowed to sing in the boat passing up and down the
rivers, nor travel in a boat at all without a white accom-

A Fragment of Berbice History. 69

panying them. Dancing on estates was prohibited from
March, 1814, to the year 1815.

This curtailing of the liberty of the slaves was forced
on the Government by the increasing discontent among
the black population, as a possible means of keeping
them more under control, and as a preventative against
combination.

The number of whites in proportion to the general
population was small, so that in the event of a general
rising there would be but a few to oppose it; and expe-
rience had taught them, in the years prior to 1768, that
the tender mercies of the bondsmen were cruel, and that
the latter had a natural tendency to wipe off old scores
with interest.

About the year 1804 an ordinance was passed for-
bidding anyone to possess an estate unless a white
resident was kept.

Notwithstanding all the precautions of the Govern-
ment, a premeditated rising took place on the east and
west sea coast ; but the authorities, having received intima-
tion of it, were prepared, and put it down with a high hand.
So many slaves were killed and executed in the process
that on October 6th, 181 4, an ordinance was passed
taxing the colony to raise funds to compensate the
owners for their loss.*

As it was the duty of those in authority to preserve
the peace and put down rebellion, even at the expense
of the lives of the rioters, it was incumbent on them to
encourage the faithful and those that had supported

* Mr. Darnell Davis states that compensation to owners for slaves,
executed for crimes, was abolished in Demerara in September, 1795. —
Timehri, Vol. II., Part 2, p. 352.

70 TlMEHRI.

them by giving rewards for services rendered ; and
although virtue is its own reward, no doubt then, as now,
this quality was more appreciated by the individual when
it brought with it something more tangible. To what
extent payment or reward for good services was carried,
is unknown ; but there exist here and there in the
Colony, tokens or medals so given, which have escaped
the tooth of time and the crucible of the jeweller ; and
for a people so peculiarly placed as were the slaves, the
Government could have chosen no better or more econo-
mical gift, since they necessarily would make the wearer
conspicuous among his companions, and would a6t as an
incentive to others to similar good service and condu6t.

Of such rewards, figures are here given of two silver
medals, on each of which is inscribed the services ren-
dered by the recipient.

One, given in 1810 for faithfulness — more valuable than
bravery in those days — displayed in an expedition against
the runaway negroes, bears the inscription in Dutch, on
one side: — "Voor Getrouwheyd van Vigaro" ; and on
the other: — "Betoond op den 7th Jan., 1810. In een
attacque teegens enn dorp Bosche Negers onder hit
commande van L. F. Gallez, Burgr. Capt., a Berbice"
— For fidelity of Vigaro shown on the 7th January, 1810,
in an attack against a village of bush negroes, under the
command of L. F. Gallez, Burgher Capt., Berbice.

The other medal was given by the members of the
Court of Policy to "Alexander" of PI. Bath, for
services in connection with the riots on the west sea
coast in 18 14 Obverse: — The monogram, C.B. (Colony
Berbice) within a wreath of oak and sugar cane. Re-
verse:— An inscription acknowledging his faithful services.

cc<f cvrv

7YL<2^L(

^e@

A Fragment of Berbice History. 71

It was commonly believed at the time that the disturb-
ance in 1814 was in great measure the result of a rumour
that the English Government had granted freedom to
all the slaves — an apple of discord that fell on Barba
dos a few years later.

The Spread of Leprosy.

By John D. Hillis, F.R.C.S., late Medical Superintendent of the
Leper Asylums.

T was the custom some years ago for long and
frequent discussions to take place in the legis-
lature of the colony with reference to the
spread of leprosy, and the consequences it entailed on
every member or class in the community ; but latterly,
whether owing to all danger in this direction having
passed away, or to the apathy natural to those who
dwell long in hot climates, all interest in the subject
would appear to have died out, if one may judge from
the absence of all serious discussion, and any practical
steps taken to mitigate an acknowledged evil in our
midst. The object of the writer is to endeavour to
direct attention once more to a subject which has occu-
pied his thoughts for more than twenty years, during ten
of which he was in charge of the colony's large leper
institutions at Mahaica; and to urge on his fellow-
colonists, as strongly as words can possibly do so, to
look this subject steadily in the face, unsavoury though
it be, with the dangers they run by neglecting it, and
to realize its extent and importance to one and all, and
not to rest satisfied till something be done to relieve the
inhabitants from the consequences of the spread among
them of a disease, already more than serious in its pro-
portions, and which threatens to become much more so.
All classes of the community are more or less liable
to leprosy, if predisposed to it by ill-health or skin
disease, and if exposed to contact with a diseased person.

The Spread of Leprosy. 73

It must not be imagined that any are exempt by reason
of their nationality, for leprosy has frequently been
communicated to Europeans, as well as the other races,
in this colony and elsewhere.

The Ven. Archdeacon WRIGHT, of England, who has
taken a great deal of interest in the subject of leprosy,
and has been in communication with authorities on the
matter in all parts of the world, has been occupying the
minds of the people at home by discussing in the
columns of the Times the question — " Leprosy : are we in
danger from it?" The Archdeacon has handled his sub-
ject in a masterly manner, and has attracted considerable
attention ; and this not only in the lay press of the country,
since he has compelled the medical papers to take notice
of, and refer to, his statements with reference to the in-
crease of leprosy of late years in England. If the
discussion of such a subject is deemed worthy of consi-
deration by the people of England where there cannot
be more than about twenty or thirty cases, how im-
mensely more important should it be to the inhabitants
of British Guiana where leprosy is so rife and so largely
on the increase — and to such an extent of late years, that
it is calculated at the present time that one in every
two hundred and fifty persons is a leper !

But the question may be asked : — Is leprosy so seriously
on the increase in Demerara? It is highly important
that a decided answer should be given to this question,
and there can, I conceive, be but the one. To the most
casual observer the increase must be apparent, irrespec-
tive of the facl that the asylums cannot be enlarged fast
enough to contain the cases that are compelled by want
and the rapid advance of the fell disease to seek admission

K

74 TlMEHRI.

and relief within their walls ; whilst hundreds of others, it
is well known, do not enter but remain outside to mingle
with and contaminate their surroundings. A disquieting
answer truly is to be found in this fac~t ; but further
on in this paper it will be seen that not only is leprosy
on the increase in the colony, but that the increase has
been greatest in the last decade. Wherever the writer
goes he meets with lepers walking about among, and
mixing with, the people, may be in church, or in shops ;
and as the signs and symptoms of the disease become
better known, they will perhaps be more easily recognised
by the uninitiated.

Before proceeding, it may be desirable to state briefly
some of the characteristics of leprosy as far as may with
propriety be done in the columns of this journal, in
order that we may have some idea of the more pro-
minent symptoms of one of the most loathsome mala-
dies the human race is subject to, compelling them,
unhappy mortals, ever to cry " Unclean ! unclean !" and
then to glance back for a moment at its past history, and
trace its introduction and gradual progress in this our
colony.

For this purpose it will be only necessary to describe
two forms of leprosy : — I. The tubercular. II. The
anaesthetic. L Tubercular leprosy, known also as the
lion-like disease, black leprosy, satyriasis, &c, is ushered
in by premonitory fever, and followed by an eruption of
excrescences called tubercles, hence its name. After a
time the latter come out over the face, ears, &c, distort-
ing the features, disfiguring the body, and invading the
air passages. After an interval this is followed by fresh
exacerbations of disease and successive crops of tuber-

The Spread of Leprosy. 75

cles; until the whole system becomes contaminated, the
blood poisoned, and the internal organs affected ; and the
wretched sufferer, shunned by his fellow creatures, dies
either from the exhausting effects of the disease or some
internal complication — death putting an end to his suffer-
ings in about nine years on the average. Negroes are
more prone to this form of leprosy than any others, and
it is the most fatal form of the disease.

II. Anaesthetic leprosy, known also as Leuke of the
Greeks, Baras of the Arabians, Joint-evil of the West
Indies, Sunbahirii of the East Indies, and dry leprosy,
in contradistinction to the other form also known as
humid leprosy, is characterised by a diseased condition
of the nerves, and a peculiar eruption, the primary
characteristic of which is loss of sensation, or anaesthesia,
hence its name. After a time ulcerations form, a sort
of dry gangrene of the limbs sets in, and joints drop off,
and finally there is more or less paralysis. It would
take a large volume to describe the signs or symptoms
of leprosy, but the preceding account is sufficient to show
what an alarming affection we have to deal with.

The earliest accounts of leprosy in the colony are
neither full nor important ; but such as they are, they all
point to the fact that leprosy was originally introduced
here by slaves from Africa, where the disease has existed
from time immemorial. The earlier colonists were quite
familiar with the appearance of leprosy as it affected
their slaves, and strict measures were taken to isolate
them from the others ; hence it did not spread to any
great extent. Leper slaves were generally employed as
watchmen aback at the provision grounds, where the well-
known watch house is, and used to be. Here he was

K 2

/

j6 TlMEHRI.

kept as isolated as possible, and the disease prevented from
spreading. When, however, immigration commenced,
leprosy was introduced from India, first by the ship
Colgraine in 1842 and by the Ganges in 1858. In 1861
several Chinese immigrants arrived here with leprosy,
and also in 1862 by the ship Agra, so that the disease,
which hitherto had been principally confined to the black
and coloured races, soon began to spread to the immigrant
population. To-day there are at the leper asylum over 200
East Indians and Chinese suffering from leprosy, to say
nothing of the cases on the sugar estates and the
Georgetown and Berbice contingent. In 1831, according
to an official paper at the Government Secretary's Office
entitled " Return of leprosy negroes in the Essequebo
division of the united colony of Demerara and Esse-
quebo," there were some 431 leper negroes in Deme-
rara ; then commenced immigration and the new
departure, when lepers were allowed to mingle freely
with the community. At the present time it is cal-
culated that there must be more than 1,000 cases of
leprosy here, or 1 in every 250 of the population, and
this notwithstanding the large number that die annually
from the disease — over 16 percent. Will the inhabitants
of this country be content to allow this increase to go on
at the same rate during the next few years ?

In 1832 the poor and disabled lepers were removed to
the mouth of the Pomeroon river, and a more unsuitable
place, under the circumstances, could not well have been
found, its distance from Georgetown being its only
recommendation. At this place there was what is known
as an Indian Post — a collection of Indians presided over
by a Government Officer, and supposed to be in the en-

The Spread of Leprosy. 77

joyment of British protection. Among these unsus-
pe6ling children of the forest, the colony cast its load
of disease. The Indian tribes at the time were Carib-
bees, Accawois, Arrawaks and Warraus. Mr. Zimmerman
was the Prote6tor, and he used to include in his account
for the Indians those pertaining to the maintenance of
the lepers. Soon after, we read in one of his reports
that " the Indians manifested an inclination to leave the
Post." Certain tribes did go away, and refused al-
together to associate with the lepers ; but one tribe, the
Warraus, who are lowest in the social scale among In-
dians, remained, ate, and drank with the lepers, and
mingled too freely, alas ! with them ; for shortly after,
leprosy broke out among the Warraus, and to this
day they are the only tribe among whom cases of
leprosy may be met with. It certainly is a fa£t that no
one has ever met with leprosy in any other aboriginal
tribe of Indians. Mr. McCLlNTOCK, for years a magis-
trate among them, states* : — " On taking the census of
the whole Indian population (1842), although many
cases of leprosy of both sexes came under reporter's
observation, every case was confined to the Indians of
the Warrow nation."

In 1858 the lepers were located at the present insti-
tution at the mouth of the Mahaica creek, which not very
long ago was enlarged to meet the ever increasing de-
mand on its accommodation. On 31st December, 1859,
there were only 105 inmates at the Asylum. In 1869
they had increased to 300, and the place could hold no
more. Increased space was provided, and in 1889 we

* Leprosy in British Guiana, p. 160.

78 TlMEHRI.

find from the official reports that over 500 were dealt
with. Around this Leper Asylum, outside its boundaries,
there are large numbers of lepers not included in these
returns. If leprosy be not contagious, how comes it that
these cases of leprosy exist outside the Asylum in larger
numbers than in other parts of the colony ? And it should
be remembered that there is no isolation at the Asylum,
but that the lepers can go in and out as they please.

It being conceded then that leprosy is on the increase
here and elsewhere, it naturally behoves us to try and
ascertain in what manner, and by what means, the
disease thus spreads, with the view of suggesting a
remedy if such can be found.

Leprosy may be transmitted by (1) Intermarriage or
cohabitation and (2) Inoculation or contact.

(1.) Intermarriage with or among lepers must ac-
count for a certain number of cases. Those in which
both parties are leprous and marry, are doubtless
few and far between ; the greater number of lepers
who cohabit do not marry, the leper man may
live with a healthy woman, or vice versa. It has
been conclusively proved that if a man with leprosy
marries a healthy woman, in time the latter will become
affected. It may be as many as nine or ten years before
the disease makes its appearance, but appear it almost
surely will, if long enough time be allowed to elapse.
Cases in point have occurred in this colony in the writer's
own practice and that of others ; in particular, one may
be related known to many local practitioners, viz., that
of a leper shop-keeper who married a healthy woman.
For eight years his wife, who had not the slightest
taint in her family, remained perfectly free from any

The Spread gf Leprosy. 79

symptom of the disease. The case had been pointed out
as telling against contagion ; but in their ninth married
year, the poor wife became leprous, and is now a fearful
object to contemplate.

(2.) The transmission of leprosy by Inoculation or
Contact has been the debatable point with the pro-
fession for many years ; but since the disease has
been better studied, and the discovery of the Bacillus
leprae, a minute organism found in every case of
true leprosy, opinion is gradually but surely coming
round to the recognition that leprosy may be com-
municated by the unhealthy to the healthy to a much
greater extent than has hitherto been considered pro-
bable. In 1867 the Royal College of Physicians of
London, in their celebrated report of that year, gave it
as their opinion that leprosy was not contagious, and on
that dictum all recent legislation on the subject has been
based ; but it is now known that the report was prin-
cipally the production of one member of the Committee,
Dr. GAVIN MlLROY, who had paid a short visit to the
West Indies, and had not had time to make himself con-
versant with all sides of the question. In more than
one instance was an untruthful history related to the
late Dr. MlLROY, who had no opportunity of testing
the credibility of the witness's statement. For instance,
one man stated to him when the Doctor was in Demerara,
at the Penal Settlement, that he believed his leprosy
arose from the salt diet the prisoners are accustomed to ;
whereas in fact the man had cohabited with a coloured
woman who had leprosy, previous to his being sentenced
to penal servitude, and a child of this same man and
woman died at the Leper Asylum at Mahaica. In 1887,

80 TlMEHRI.

however, the College of Physicians furnished another
report, in the light of recent investigations into the sub-
ject, which materially modifies their former one, and
they now state that under certain circumstances leprosy
may be thus communicated. In the writer's own ex-
perience numerous cases have occurred in this colony in
which there could be no reasonable doubt but that such
was the case. It is manifestly out of the question to
state anything further concerning them here, but it may
be relied upon that the case is as I have stated.
Some of them were most heartrending, the unfortunate
victims having to be sent quietly out of the colony to
prevent the matter from becoming known. One case in
Georgetown made a deep impression with regard to the
danger people run. A respectable young lad became
leprous through, as I believe, playing with a boy who
had leprosy, and who lived further down the street.
When seen, he was in an advanced stage of tubercular
leprosy, covered with sores, and he was sent home and
treated by the late Sir ERASMUS WlLSON, and the family
left the house. I subsequently learnt that another family
shortly after took over the same house without its having
undergone any purification or disinfecting, and it must
be remembered the boy had been confined for months to
one room and was covered with these sores. Had he died
of some endemic disease, considered contagious, but
questionably so, how much money would have been spent
on painting, papering, &c, by the authorities! But in
the case mentioned no such steps were considered
necessary. I am not finding fault with disinfection as
carried out in Georgetown — far from it ; it is merely
contended that owing to the opinions that the Executive

The Spread of Leprosy.

have to guide them, they would not be justified, under
the present rulings on the subject, in going to any expense
under the Public Health Ordinance, as lep.osy is not
considered a contagious disease.

Dr. GAIRDNER, of Glasgow, in the British. Medical
Journal of iith January, 1887, relates a startling case
where leprosy was contracted by an European, and re-
cently M. BESNIER read a paper before the Academy of
Medicine of Paris, which showed conclusively that leprosy
was propagated by contact; but owing to the long incu-
bation period of the disease, it is most difficult to so trace
contagion in a given case as to satisfy the exact require-
ments of science. One of the most interesting and
painful episodes in the history of leprosy is that of the
Sandwich Islands. In these Islands some years ago
leprosy was unknown, but owing to the introduction of
Chinese and others suffering from leprosy, the disease
rapidly spread, and to-day at the Island of Molakai there
is a large leper community comprised, on 1st April, 1888,
of 942 souls, viz., 740 lepers, 144 friends and relatives,
and 38 peasants or original inhabitants of the Island.
Regarding this place, the British Medical Journal of
23rd February, 1888, states: — " The very extensive pre-
valence of leprosy in the Hawaian Islands can no longer
be denied, and it constitutes a very serious problem for
the Government of that Kingdom. The mere expendi-
ture in money annually reaches a very considerable
sum, amounting probably to not mucn less than 5 per
cent, of the total revenue. The evil has attained such
large proportions that only by the most rigid enforce-
ment of the law compelling the segregation of lepers
can it be combated ; this appears to be now fully recog-

L

82 TlMEHRI.

nised by the Board of Health, but it was not always so,
and it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the
Iaxness at one time permitted, has worked an amount of
evil irreparable in this generation." How, it may be
wondered, would our own Board of Health plead, if
arraigned on a similar indi6tment ?

This leper settlement will ever be remembered as the
scene of the devotion and self-sacrifice of a priest of the
Roman Catholic Church, Father Damien. This worthy
servant of His Master went out to Molakai to minister
to the religious wants of the lepers, and himself became
a leper. The latest accounts thus describe his condi-
tion : — " Father DAMIEN is falling a victim to his charity.
Leprosy has done its worst on him, at turns at his ears,
his eyes, nose, throat, his hands and lungs. The poor
Father has suffered dreadfully. He is completely
disfigured, his voice is almost extinct."*

The Sandwich Islands were also the scene of Dr.
ARMING'S celebrated inoculation cases which attracted
so much attention, and a full account of which is given in
the British Medical Journal of 24th November, 1888.
Dr. ARNING, whilst at Honolulu investigating this disease,
obtained the consent of the Government to inoculate a
healthy person with leprosy, the person to be experi-
mented on being one who had been sentenced to death.
He was promised a remission of his sentence on condition
of his allowing the experiment. The operation was then
performed, and for a long time subsequently with negative
results. However on the 25th September, 1888, he was
examined by N. B. EMERSON, M.D., President of the

* Since the foregoing has been in type, the death of this heroic man
has been announced. — Ed.

The Spread of Leprosy. 83

Board of Health, and J. H. Kimball, Government
Physician, Honolulu, who gave the following certifi-
cate : — " This is to certify that we have this day
carefully examined one KEANU, a Hawaian man in con-
finement at the Oahu Gaol, who was inoculated with
leprosy by Dr. ARNING on Nov. 5th, 1885, and it is our
decided opinion that this man is a tubercular leper."

One fact of this nature is worth more than any number
of theories, and ought to suffice to convince any who are
still sceptical on the point, that leprosy should be classed
among the disorders liable to be contracted by contact.

The colony of British Guiana, as far as spending money
is concerned, cannot be said to have been unmindful of its
responsibility with regard to its leper community. Up to
1877 the Asylum was simply a disgrace to the colony,
although large sums were annually voted for its
maintenance ; but since then a new system has been in
existence, and to-day the Leper Asylums will compare
favourably with any others. The present annual outlay
is close on $30,000, and recently a medical man has
been appointed to take sole charge and devote all his
time to their interests. Previously, the Medical Superin-
tendent; in addition to his duties at the Asylum, had a
large district with five estates' hospitals to look after,
and frequently, for months at a time, to do the work of
men at either side of him, and had only his spare moments
to devote to investigations into the nature of leprosy.
Now that is all changed ; and we may therefore reason-
ably expect to have much more light thrown on this
interesting and important affection. It goes without
saying that the holder of such an important office
should be a scientific man, skilled in the use of the micro-

L2

S_{ TlMEHRl.

scope, a bacteriologist and histologist. The profession has
not yet been placed in possession of any of the scientific
work of the present Superintendent ; but he has been
too short a time in office. He may be assured of as
hearty a reception of his work as that accorded to his
colleague of the Trinidad Asylum.

The Asylums at Mahaica are at present very well con-
dueled. The place is clean and comfortable, and the
inmates receive every care and attention, and are well
fed and clothed ; but when we read in the report for last
year that as many as 67 — a larger number than in any
previous year — absconded and returned to dwell among
the sound inhabitants, we may well pause and enquire
whether the colony is receiving full value for the large
sums of money annually spent on these Asylums. If
such care is taken of them and they receive every
comfort, is it too much to ask in return that they should
surrender their liberty and submit voluntarily to stricTl
segregation, the only arrangement at all likely to stamp
out the disease? For years the writer has been urging
on the Government the necessity for stri6l isolation, if
they wish to profit by the experience of Honolulu ; but
notwithstanding, matters are in the same position to-day
as they were ten years ago. Nothing has been attempted,
nothing done ; and colonists continue to live on in a
fool's paradise, apparently unconscious of the dangers by
which they are surrounded. Many years ago, in one of
my official reports, I suggested that all the West India
Islands should combine and form one leper community
on one of the Islands of the Carribean Sea; but nothing
came of the suggestion.

The present Asylums here have undoubtedly done

The Spread of Leprosy. 85

good service, and are still capable of doing good, if only
a different policy would be adopted. That known as
the General Leper Asylum is practically isolated and
within easy reach of supervision, a most necessary desi-
deratum. The difficulty hitherto has been with the female
lepers. They are most unmanageable ; and their Asylum
is most unsuitable in every way, and should not be so
near the male Asylum as it is at present. It was this
difficulty about the sexes that led to the riots at the
Asylum some years ago.

One of the islands in the Demerara or Essequebo
rivers, has been suggested as the future site to which
all the lepers should be removed ; and the sugges-
tion deserves consideration. Our duty will not,
however, have been done by merely sending them out
of sight, that they might be, as doubtless they would be,
out of mind. They must be placed within easy reach
of proper Governmental supervision ; and it will not be
easy to get a medical man and officers willing to isolate
themselves far away among such cases. A great many
difficulties stand in the way, and a good case will have to be
made out, and good plans submitted, before the Home Go-
vernment will permit any change. Something will soon
have to be done at the female Asylums, as the buildings
there — intended to be temporary — are falling to pieces.

The West Indies will never stamp out leprosy
unless they all combine seriously together, and form the
large leper community, each place contributing its
proper share of the cost. By these means, and by insisting
on strict isolation, there is every human probability that
the disease of leprosy may yet be entirely eradicated, as
was done in England during the Middle Ages.

The Fight between the "Peacock" and
the "Hornet," in 1813.

By N. Darnell Davis.

jHE year 1813 found Great Britain at war with
the United States of America as well as with
BONAPARTE. At that time Demerara and
Essequibo, joined together as one colony, and Berbice
as another colony, were in the possession of Great
Britain. They had last been taken from the Dutch in
1803. Holland herself now formed part of France.

Major General Hugh Lyle Carmichael, described
as "a soldier from his cradle," was, in the early months
of 1813, A6ling-Governor of Demerara and Essequibo-
In General Orders to the Militia, of the 1st of January,
the Governor had thus alluded to the struggle with
Napoleon : —

"Bonaparte's course of life and sanguinary foot-
steps are easily traced for the last twenty years, and
must be warm in the recollection of every person then
capable of perception and now in existence

" The Russians having destroyed their ancient city of
Moscow, in preference to the risk of its being liolated
by his army, proves sufficiently their opinion of Bona-
parte's favours. With regard to his conduct after
deserting his troops in Egypt, it is strongly marked by
the multitude of human victims sacrificed to the ambi-
tion of an individual, assuming universal empire.

" The British, Spanish, and Portuguese have made
powerful and successful opposition to those efforts, and

The " Peacock" and the " Hornet." 87

evince what justice, supported by courage and energy,

can accomplish.

*******

"Should Bonaparte 's legions, or satellites, of •whatever
nation they may be, make a hostile attempt, there is no
doubt they will find the same spirit of loyalty, with
arms and determination to support it, that the Ameri-
cans experienced in their attack upon Canada."

The Governor concludes his Orders with the intima-
tion that the Rev. Mr. Straghan has very handsomely
proposed to give a discourse to the Georgetown Militia,
at the Parish Church, at two o'clock on the Sunday
following, and notifies his intention of himself accom-
panying the Militia to church. In those days the Militia
was embodied all over the colony. The Royal Militia
of Georgetown especially, seems to have been a formid-
able body. Twice recently had they volunteered for
service afloat to rid the coasts of the colony of American
privateers. Early in February, the Governor had received
from Earl BATHURST, Secretary of State, a despatch
conveying the Prince Regent's approbation of the con-
duct of those of the inhabitants of Demerara who lately
" so gallantly volunteered their services against the
enemy."

On every side there were signs of war. American
Privateers infested West Indian waters. Along the coast
ot what is now British Guiana they did a vast deal of
damage. The Highflyer, the Patriot, the Saucy Jack
and the General Armstrong, were amongst the most
successful depredators. They, especially, wrought havoc
among merchant ships sailing to and from Georgetown
and New Amsterdam. To rid the coasts of these pests,

88 TlMEHRI.

it was, that in September, and again in October, 1812,
volunteers from the 60th Regiment and from the Royal
Militia, had put to sea in an armed packet-boat and
a merchant ship. It was not only off the coasts of the
colony that the dangers of war awaited the trading
ships. Vessels sailed from England and elsewhere for
the colony, never to reach it, and so with vessels from
the colony. They were captured at sea. As many of
the merchant ships were armed, the enemy sometimes
caught a Tartar. Not a few vessels had arrived in the
Port of Georgetown, after having made it very hot for
the foe.* One instance must suffice. The Ramoncita
came in, early in the year, with news of a hard fight she
had been engaged in, not far from Madeira, with an
American ship, which was probably the privateer A merica.
The enemy had given her name as the United States'
ship of war Hornet. This did not frighten Captain
VENABLES. Whatever her name, she was a more for-
midable vessel than the Ramoncita. By skilfully
manoeuvring his ship; and vigorously plying his guns,
VENABLES succeeded in doing so much damage to the
foe that she had to draw off. Among the Ramoncita's
passengers was Lieutenant Playter of the first
battalion of the Royal Militia. Placing himself at the
head of those who played the part of marines on board

* After this manner does the Royal Gazette of the 9th of February, 1813'
herald the fame of the triumphant merchant ships : — * * * "Scarce
had we noticed the Caledonia's 'glorious deeds,' when those of the
Maxwell claimed publicity !— scarce had we told of her, the 'laurel'd
tale,' than, too, the Bridget, with her 'gory sides,' but 'victor flag,'
demanded our applause ! — scarce had we stowed A^ name, and great
exploits, than soon the Ramoncita s 'feats of war,' we had to state !
And now the Casars."

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 89

the vessel, this officer so greatly distinguished himself
that, immediately upon his arrival in the colony General
CARMICHAEL promoted him to be a Captain in the
Militia.* One has only to con the shipping advertise-
ments in the Demerary and Essequebo Royal Gazette
of the 23rd February, 18 13, to realize the conditions
under which the colony's trade was carried on in a time
of warfare. Here is a ship announced as to sail with
the first convoy in April. She is described as being
well armed and manned. Another will positively sail
with the first convoy that may offer. A third, mounting
fourteen eighteen-pounders, with small arms, and men
answerable, will sail the first spring tides. A fourth is

* The record of Captain Playter's gallant conduct should be preserved
for the encouragement of his successors in the Militia and Volunteers.
The subjoined official notice is taken from The Demerary and Essequebo
Royal Gazette of January the 5th, 1813 : —

The King's House, Demerary.

The following promotions to take place in the Demerary Militia: —

A report having been made to his Excellency the A6ting Governor of
the conduft of Lieutenant Playter of the Grenadiers of the First Bat-
talion, having distinguished himself in a severe engagement with the
enemy on board of the Ramoncita, Captain Venables, in which, highly
to the credit of the Commander, and every person on board, a very
superior force was defeated.

Lieutenant Playter is promoted to the rank of Captain in the
Militia, remaining (agreeable to his own wishes) in the Grenadiers,
which company he will command in the absence of the senior Captain,
Robertson.

Lieutenant Alexander Grant to be Captain of the Artillery Com-
pany. 1

M. Viret and James A. Albouy, Gents, to be Lieutenants of
Artillery. By Command,

King's House, Georgetown, JOHN EYRE,

January 5th, 1813. a.d.c.

M

go TlMEHRI.

well armed and well manned, will take the benefit of
convoy. A fifth, bolder than the rest, will sail with or
without convoy, being well armed and manned. Above
all, there is the Official Notice as to convoys, containing
the latest arrangements made by Admiral Sir FRANCIS
Laforey for protecting the ships going home from
Demerara. It shall tell its own tale : —

The King's House, Demerary.
NOTICE.
His Excellency the Acting-Governor has received a Letter, of which
the following is an Extract, relative to the convoys for the present year: —
" I have the honour to inform Your Excellency, for the information
" of the Planters and Merchants of the Colony under Your Excellency's
" government, that the convoys for the present year are arranged to
" sail from Demerara as follows : —

April at the Full Moon,

June at the Full Moon,

Jztly at the Full Moon ;
at which periods a vessel of War will call there, to take the trade from
thence to the Island of Grenada, where it will wait to proceed with the
Trade of that Island, to the place of general rendezvous."

(Signed) Francis Laforey.
The vessel told off to the service of convoying ships
from Demerara to Grenada in January and February,
1813, was His Majesty's sloop of War Peacock, a brig
rigged vessel, built of oak, of 386 tons, mounting eighteen
24-pounder guns, two long g-pounders, and one 12-
pounder as a shifting gun, and having a crew of 122 men.
The commander of this vessel was Captain WILLIAM
Peake, a son of Sir Henry Peake who, from the 27th of
June, 1806, to the 25th of February, 1822, was Surveyor of
the Navy. Captain Peake had been seven years a Com-
mander, and had come to the West Indies in search of
promotion. He was a brave man, and had often
fought the enemies of his country. He took great pride

The " Peacock" and the " Hornet." 91

in his vessel, everything being kept spick and span. As
his first Lieutenant he had FREDERICK AUGUSTUS
WRIGHT, a right gallant fellow. The second Lieutenant
was C. Lambert. The Master of the Vessel was
Edward Lutt, her Surgeon was J. Whitaker, and
F. D. Unwin was Purser. She carried Midshipmen.

On the 15th of February the Peacock arrived from
Barbados. She appears to have remained in the Deme-
rara River until the 23rd or 24th, when she sailed on a
cruise off the coast. As Captain Peake was a favourite
with the colonists, it is likely that he and his officers
were present at the deferred celebrations on the 18th in
honour of Queen CHARLOTTE'S birthday.* One of the

* It may interest colonists of the present day to learn how a Queen's
birthday was kept up in the early years of this century. The following
account is taken from the Royal Gazette of the 20th of February, 1813 —

" About ten o'clock, the Royal Battalion of the Militia, assembled at
" the respective places of roll-call ; and, soon after, proceeded to the
" Grand Parade — where was already stationed, the 60th Regiment.
" The united line being formed, the Commander in Chief began to be
" momentarily expected ; when Major Imthurn arrived, and announced
" His Excellency's sudden indisposition. At such a time, and on such
" a spot, intelligence so unexpected, must be supposed to operate not a
'•' little on the martial enthusiasm of the moment; the post of honour t
" however, devolving on the Garrison Commandant, Lieutenant-
" Colonel Codd, the business of the field commenced. One detach-
" ment of the Royal and Militia Artillery paraded with a field piece
" upon the right of the 60th, and another on the left. The salute
" commenced with seven guns from the right field piece ; a feu de
" foie followed on the right of the 60th, and proceeded to the left of the
" Militia, when seven guns were fired from the left field piece. After
" this a feu de joie was fired from the left to the right ; then seven
" guns from the right field piece, and another feu de joie as at first.
" The troops then marched in review order and returned home. The
" review-station was crowded with Persons of Distinction.

M 2

92 TlMEHRI.

officers may even have lost his heart at the birthday dance,
as one of them was left behind when the Peacock went to
sea. The colonists had hardly taken leave of that vessel,
when His Majesty's sloop of war Espiegle commanded by
Captain John TAYLOR, anchored outside the bar of the
Demerara, on her arrival from Europe. This vessel being
in need of repairs, her crew were set to work to unrig her.

With all the stern reality of war at hand, the colonists
had nevertheless not suffered from the extreme hard-
ships of an invasion. Since Great Britain had taken
possession in 1803, there had been no attack upon the
colony. It is, moreover, in the nature of planters to
endure a good deal when the price of produce rules high.
In the Liverpool market on the 23rd of January, the
price of sugar ranged from 80/ to 90/ the cwt.

that of coffee „ ,, 65/ to 105/ ,,

that of cotton ,, ,, 2/o^d. to 2/6 the pound.

that of rum averaged from 4/6 the gallon.

" At one the fort and shipping saluted as usual.

" About six in the evening, the previously formed Vauxhallic avenue
" beginning at the bridge, and terminating nearly midway of Marshal's
" hotel, was lighted up ; but unfortunately, the wind proved too high
" throughout the evening, for any very brilliant effect. In the ball, card,
" and supper rooms, as well as the front gallery, several appropriate
" transparencies and illuminated devices were also placed. The com-
" pany began to assemble at the usual hour ; the dancing commenced
" about eight ; and the only regret expressed, was the absence of His
" Excellency. The Hon. W. Robertson presided ; and under his
" auspices, the night past away in the utmost harmony and conviviality.
" After supper a number of loyal and popular toasts were given as
" usual on such occasions."

Mr. Everard F. im Thurn, the civiliser of the North-West Territory
of British Guiana, is a grandson of the officer of the like name who is
mentioned above. Mr. im Thurn is well known to the scientific
world for his varied attainments, and is an Ethnologist of high repute.

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 93

One would have thought, here, indeed, was the border-
land of the colony's Golden Age, but this was not so.
The Good Old Times must be looked for at a somewhat
earlier period. Writing on the 20th of February, 1813,
the cheery Editor of the Royal Gazette anticipates in
his own way the good news by the next packet, tidings
having reached Demerara of that vessel's arrival at
Surinam, which place was then also in possession of
Great Britain. The worthy old colonist seems himself
to have known better days than those of which he writes
so feelingly in the following strain : —

" The planter and merchant, we hope to gratify
with a price current of colonial produce, rapidly
advancing towards what was prevalent in Demerara's
good old days — when duns were as scarce as cash at
present ; and the greatest curiosity that could be exhi-
bited, was a citation."*

Without steam boats and the telegraph to aid in the
distribution of news, the old time colonists were yet
kept alive to what was going on in other parts of the
world, by the king's packet ships, and by the numerous
other sailing vessels coming to the colony. Sometimes
the news came by way of Barbados or some other
neighbouring colony; sometimes by a ship which had
spoken another ship at sea. WELLINGTON'S victorious
progress in the Peninsula makes many a page to glow,

* Was there a revival of the good old times in the year following?
In January, 1814, in his issue of the 24th, the Editor of the Royal
Gazette became quite enthusiastic over the cheering state of the produce
markets. " Sugar, for ever !" he exclaims, and adds : — " We congratu-
late the planter of this species of produce, that it is said, by the latest
communication from London, the lowest sum for any kind is 99s. We
have seen a Glasgow price current in which fine was 1 00s."

94 TlMEHRI.

in the early numbers of the Royal Gazette. Then, as
now, news came sometimes, that was contradicted
afterwards. It had often been reported that Napoleon
was dead. On one occasion the Royal Gazette had set
forth in large type a report of the capture of Commodore
RODGERS, with the President and other vessels of the
squadron, which had been sent to sea by the United
States. That this latter statement did not prove true
must have been very disappointing to the Colonial Editor,
who had no hesitation in denouncing the President of
the United States as " a slave worthy of his master
" Bonaparte."

Through the successes gained by her land and sea
forces, in her struggle with NAPOLEON, Great Britain
had not only become possessed of nearly all the
Colonies of France and those of her allies, but had also
cut off France from commerce with the outside world.
One consequence of this, the building up of the beet-root
industry, West Indians rue to this day.* The condition
of France, bereft of her foreign trade, attracted the
attention of the enterprising citizens of the young
Republic of the United States. As neutrals, they were
ready to trade with either France or Great Britain. They
traded with both. The supplying of France did not, how-
ever, suit Great Britain, with her assured naval

* On the 18th of March '.808, Napoleon wrote to the distinguished
chemist, Berthollet, enquiring whether it were true that a man called
Achard had made good sugar from maple, at Berlin. Was it true,
also, he asked, that good sugar could be made from turnips. Ber-
thollet was required to enquire as to these matters.

In the early part of 1812, the French were so sorely put to it for
want of sugar, that they had to relieve their feelings by caricaturing
the Emperor's hobby for beet-root. A cartoon represented Napoleon

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 95

supremacy, and the relations of England and her eldest
daughter became very quarrelsome. Moreover, the Old
Country insisted upon her right to search American
vessels for English sailors, and to take these to serve in
English ships of war. Continuous application of this
right of Impressment was the last straw. On the 18th
of June, 1812, the United States declared war against
Great Britain.

With the memory of Trafalgar and other great vic-
tories at sea still fresh with them, with many of the heroes
of those fights still in their service, the English felt a
very real contempt for what they called the Yankee
cock-boats. The tiny navy with which the Americans
essayed to do battle, against such English war vessels
as could be spared from the waters of the Old World,
was, however, a thoroughly efficient one. Stout ships,
well manned, and well supplied with skilful and brave
officers, and men practised frequently at the big guns,
and marines who, in the backwoods, had been marksmen
from their boyhood, were sent to sea, to uphold the
honour of the star-spangled banner and to fly the flag of
free trade and sailors' rights ! Such as they were, they in
every way were in the condition in which ships of war

trying to sweeten his coffee with beet-root, and giving the little King of
Rome a piece of beet-root, saying, " Suck, suck, my child, it is
sugar." — Bingham.

The following conversation passed between the Emperor and the
famous Cuvier: —

Napoleon : — Faut-il introduire de sucre de better ave en France ?

Cuvier: — D'abord, sire, il faut songer a vos Colonies?

Napoleon : — Faut-il avoir le sucre de betterave en France ?

Cuvier : — Mais, sire, il faut examiner.

Napoleon .• — Bah ! je le demanderai a Berthollet."

96 TlMEHRI.

should be when sent to sea. And soon Englishmen began
to wonder at what was happening. On the 13th of August,
1812, the Alert, of 16 guns, was captured by Captain
PORTER in the United States' frigate, Essex, of 32 guns.
On the 19th of the same month the Guerri^re, of 32 guns,
was taken by Captain Hull, in the Constitution, of 44guns.
On the 1 8th of 06tober the Frolic, of 18 guns, was taken
by Captain JACOB JONES, in the Wasp. On the 25th
of October, the Macedonian, of 38 guns, was taken by
Captain DECATUR in the United States of 44 guns.
Then, on the 29th of December, off St. Salvador, in
Brazil, the Java, of 38 guns, was captured by Commodore
BAINBRIDGE. This was not a bad beginning for an
infant navy, in its struggle with the Mistress of the Seas,
especially when, as was the case, but one American
war-ship, the Wasp, had been, up to date, captured
by the English. Little knowing against what odds their
ships had fought : for the condition of some of them was
worse than the disadvantage of fighting bigger ships,
better armed and manned : people in England cried out
against their brave officers. Accustomed to victory,
they seemed to think that their officers could wrest it
against any odds. As it was, the Americans had to burn
the Guerriere and the Java, as soon as these were taken.
The Frolic was recaptured and her Captain at the same
time taken. The Alert, formerly a collier, was found
unfit for a store ship, and was turned into a block-ship ;
and the Macedonian alone was added to the navy of the
United States. The young Republic's sailors had, how-
ever, established their prestige, and, although the odds
had been on their side, it was now plain that descendants
of Englishmen settled in the New World were not afraid

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 97

to fight their cousins of the Old Home. John Bull
had reason to be proud of his family.

The Constitution had suffered so much in her fight
with the Java, that Commodore Bainbridge found it
necessary to return home, without delay, and sailed for
the North on the 6th of January, 18 13. The Hornet
remained to cruise off the coast of Brazil in quest of
British ships. She was a sloop, of war, rigged as a ship,
carried 20 guns, and was very strongly built. Her
commander was James Lawrence, of New Jersey,
afterwards the brave captain of the Chesapeake in her
famous fight with the Shannon. He had been one of
the gallant band who had, in 1803, under Decatur,
destroyed the Philadelphia, and he had taken part in the
bombardment of Tripoli. His First Lieutenant was
JOHN TEMPLER SHUBRICK of South Carolina, one of
four brave brothers who have all left a name in the naval
history of the United States. Shubrick had been in
the Chesapeake in her affair with the Leopard in 1807.
He had also fought under HULL in the Constitution,
when the Guerriere was captured, and under BAINBRIDGE
in the same Old Ironsides, when the Java was taken.
Lieutenant STEWART, David CONNOR, of Pennsylvania,
and JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, of Virginia, were the other
lieutenants. BENJAMIN COOPER, of New Jersey, pro-
bably a relative of the author of The Last of the Mohi-
cans^ served as a midshipman. Disturbed by the appear-
ance at St. Salvador of the British ship Montague, of
74 guns, the Hornet shifted her cruising ground. Near
Pernambuco she captured the English armed merchant-
man, Resolution, of 10 guns, and took $23,000 in specie
in her. After cruising off Maranham, the Hornet ran

N

98 TlMEHRI.

for Surinam. She cruised off that coast from the 15th
to the 22nd of February without meeting a vessel, and
then stood for Demerara. On the morning of the 24th a
brig to leeward was sighted and chase given, but, finding
his vessel running into shallow water LAWRENCE thought
it well to haul off. In her chase of the brig the Hornet had
got within sight of the Demerara bar, where the British
sloop-of-war Espiegle was lying at anchor with hercolours
flying. At half-past three o'clock in the afternoon, when
the Hornet was beating round Great Courabanna Bank, to
get to the Espiegle, a strange sail was observed on the
weather quarter bearing down for the Hornet. Although
not made out, the Hornet had been seen from the Espiegle,
and had continued in sight for nearly an hour, when she
was observed to tack and stand to the south-east.

On the morning of the following day, the 24th,
those on board the Espiegle noticed pieces of wreck
floating by their ship. In the afternoon, Captain
TAYLOR, who was ashore, was informed by Governor
CARMICHAEL that news had come from Mahaica that
the Peacock had been defeated by the Hornet the evening
before ; that Captain PEAKE had been killed ; and that
the Peacock had gone down off the Little Courabanna
Creek. This was the tale which four seamen of the
Peacock told, who had been picked up off Mahaica by a
shore boat, after having with difficulty kept themselves
afloat for six or seven hours in a boat shattered by the
enemy's shot. They had got into the boat as the ship
was sinking, and had so made their escape. One of the
four men had his clothes stained with Captain PEAKE's
blood, having been at the helm as that brave officer,
standing bv, received his mortal wound. On the follow-

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 99

ing day, the Espiegle, all unfit as she was, put to sea in
search of the Hornet.

The sail which had been edging down for the Hornet
had hoisted English colours. She was the Peacock.

Shall the stripes and stars, or tricolor, in triumph sweep the sea
While the flag of Britain waves aloft, the fearless and the free ?

Ten minutes afterwards, or about half-past four o'clock,
they beat to quarters on board the Hornet and cleared
the ship for action. In order to get the weather gauge,
she was hauled close to the wind. At ten minutes after
five she hoisted the stars and bars. The Hornet having
tacked, the two ships of war now stood for one another.
At 5*25, in passing each other, they exchanged broadsides
within pistol shot. The Peacock now wore, and gave
the enemy her starboard broadside. Then the Hornet
bore up close on the starboard quarter, and kept up a
deadly fire for fifteen minutes. Early in the action the
Peacock 's master, LUTT, had fallen stunned. As he was
being carried below, Captain Peake said, "Poor LUTT !
I did not think that you would have been the first."
But the master soon returned to his quarters, having
merely been deprived of his senses for a time. All
hands exerted themselves to the utmost, cheered on by
their gallant captain. While, however, the shot from
the English guns cut up the rigging of the Hornet, the
latter's fire went smashing into the Peacock's hull. And
now fell that brave man Captain Peake, while encourag-
ing his men to continue the fight. A 25-pounder shot
passed through his breast. The man at the helm, splashed
with his blood, sprang forward, took the dead Commander
in his arms to carry him below, but was himself knocked
down by a splinter. WRIGHT, the First Lieutenant, at

N2

100 TlMEHRI.

this time took charge of the Peacock and continued the
fight most gallantly. With her rigging all cut away,
with her Commander and five other men killed, and her
master, one midshipman., the captain's clerk, che carpen-
ter, and twenty-seven men wounded, and with five feet
of water in the hold and the ship sinking, there was no
duty remaining unfulfilled, and her brave company could
only yield to the enemy. Anxious not to destroy life un-
necessarily, Captain LAWRENCE exposed himself to the
risk of being shot down in trying to ascertain whether the
Peacock had yielded. He had not long to wait. At about
ten minutes to six o'clock the English ensign, union down,
appeared at her fore rigging. But a few minutes after, her
main mast went by the board. Lieutenant SHUBRICK was
now sent on board. He soon returned with Lieutenant
WRIGHT, who reported that the Peacock had six feet of
water in her hold, and was fast sinking. It was now
dark. The Hornet's boats were at once sent off under
Lieutenant CONNOR and Midshipman COOPER for the
wounded. Then both ships were brought to an anchor.
As the ship was now steadily settling down, every exer-
tion was made to keep her afloat until her crew could be
got off. Pumping and bailing proved useless. Her guns
were thrown overboard. Such shot holes as could be
got at were plugged. It was all in vain. When the
wounded had been got out. there were eight feet of water
in the ship's hold. Lieutenant CONNOR now hailed to
to the Hornet that the Peacock was sinking. Apparently,
he was not heard, as no answer came. All on board
now shifted for themselves. Many got into the boats,
but, as the ship went down, she carried thirteen English
and three Americans with her. The three Americans

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." ioi

perished, and nine of the English. Four of the English
managed to gain the foretop, and were afterwards
rescued by the Hornet 's boats. The four men who had
been picked up off Mahaica, and had borne the tale of
defeat to the colony, had got into a much shattered boat
which was hanging at the stern of the Peacock. They
found great difficulty in keeping her afloat during the
six or seven hours that passed before they were rescued.
The Peacock sank off Little Courabanna Creek, about
twenty-four miles, as the crow flies, from the bank off
the Courabanna, where the Hornet had tacked in order
to get the weather gauge of the Peacock.* During their
manoeuvres the two vessels had gone thus far to the
south-east.

Most of the wounded men of the Peacock were very
severely injured, and three of them died after being re-
moved. The clothes and other property of the ship's
company had gone down in the ship. Of the Hornet's
crew but one man had been killed and two been wounded.
Two others had been severely burnt by the explo-
sion of a cartridge. The Hornet's foremast had a
shot in it, and her bowsprit was slightly injured.
Her rigging and sails w^re much cut, but her hull
received little or no damage. Lieutenant Stewart
was unable, from illness, to stand on deck, and

* The Royal Gazette of March 9th, 1813, says: — "The wreck of the
Peacock, we find, is in seven fathoms water, off Little Courabanna."

In his Naval History, James says, Vol. VI., page 48: — '' The wreck
of the Peacock was visible for a long time after the adtion, and bore
from Point Spirit, which is about six miles to the eastward of the
entrance to Demerara River, north-east by east, distant six leagues ;
making the distance between the Espiegle and Peacock, during the aftion
nearly twenty-four miles." Point Spirit is off Plantation Lusignan.

102 TlMEHRI.

did not take part in the action. Either mistaking
Little Courabanna, off which his ship now lay an-
chored, for Courabanna, whence he had seen both the
Espiegle and the Peacock, or, in the excitement of the
fight, not realizing that during the fight he had gone to
the south-east more than twenty miles, Captain LAW-
RENCE was under the impression that the firing of the
guns must have been heard by the Espiegle. Under
this misapprehension, he expected to be instantly
attacked. Every exertion was, therefore, used to get
the Hornet ready for action. By nine o'clock the
boats were stowed, a new set of sails were bent, and
the ship was again in fighting trim. At 2 a.m., on
the 25th, the anchor was weighed, and the Hornet stood
by the wind to the northward and westward, on her home-
ward way. The pitiful state of the prisoners touched
the crew of the Hornet. They subscribed among them
for the Peacock's men, two shirts, and a jacket and trousers
for each. So kind were Captain Lawrence and his
officers to their prisoners that, shortly after the Hornet's
return to the United States, Lieutenant WRIGHT and
his brother officers addressed a handsome letter of
acknowledgment to their captors. "We ceased to con-
sider ourselves prisoners," they said, so considerately
had ihey been treated wlien received on board. This
goodness had been extended to the ship's company.

The appearance in Georgetown of the four sailors of
the Peacock who had been rescued off Mahaica, brought
home to colonists that they had indeed lost their naval
protector. Captain Peake's desk, with papers, and
several other articles from the Peacock floated ashore
between the Mahaica and the Demerara. The Governor

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 103

issued a notice, asking that any papers or small articles
picked up should be sent to the King's House, and that
boats, spars, and other materials belonging to the wreck
should be lodged in Fort William Frederick, for the
purpose of being secured in His Majesty's stores. A
commemoration service was held in St. George's Church,
Georgetown, on Sunday the 14th of March, when the
Governor was present, attended by the Royal Battalion
of Militia. An officer belonging to the Peacock, who
had been left on shore when that vessel last put to sea,
also attended the service. At the Governor's request,
the Rev. W. G. STRAGHAN preached a sermon
appropriate to the occasion. Before this, however,
the colonists had given substantial proofs of their
sorrow. A meeting of the inhabitants of Demerara
and Essequibo was held at Marsh's Hotel, George-
town, on the 4th of March. The Honourable JOSEPH
BEETE, the leading man in the colony, was voted
to the chair, but, on his declining the honour, and at his
particular desire it was taken by the Rev. Mr. STRAGHAN,
The meeting resolved that a Marble Tablet should be
erecled in St. George's Church to Captain Peake'S
memory ; that Mrs. PEAKE should be presented, in what-
ever form might be most agreeable to herself, with some
memorial of the inhabitants' gratitude, respect, and
admiration of her gallant and much lamented husband,
who had fallen in protecting their ships and com-
merce ; and, thot subscriptions should be raised for
helping the widows and children of those of the crew who
had fallen in the fight, and for the assisting of the
wounded and disabled. Should enough money be raised,
some was to be given to the officers and crew to repair

104 TlMEHRI.

their present losses. The Honourable JOSEPH BEETE
was appointed Treasurer, and the following were ap-
pointed a Committee to give effe6l to the resolutions and
to collect subscriptions : —

The Hon'ble. J. S. Masse.
„ Peter Grant.
,, Joseph Beete.
Alexander Fullerton.
Angus Fraser.
James Simson.
Charles Bean.
M. Van Kerkwyk
J. H. Boode.

The Hon'ble. John Wilson.

„ William Austin.

Stephen Cramer.
Thomas Dougan.
Charles Rutherford.
William Munroe.
Peter McGarrel,
Henry Frost.

Subscriptions flowed in. By the 20th of July, after
paying sundry accounts in the colony, including dis-
bursements for the rescued seamen, and for "Mr. SlDELL,"
who may have been the officer left behind, the Treasurer
was able to remit to England about ,£1,570. The sub-
scriptions were made in guilders, and, in remitting,
12 guilders and 10 stivers were reckoned to the pound
sterling. The names of the subscribers include many
which are familiar even now: such as GEORGE BUCHANAN,
Thomas Frankland, A. Fullerton, Robert King-
ston, Rose and Croal, Dr. John Austin, S. Butts,
H. Hyndman, John Hopkinson, John Jones, Alex-
ander Pitman, James Robertson, John Hancock,
R. IRVINE, H. JUNOR, the Honourable THOMAS
McArthur, S. O. Nurse, J. H. Albuoy, P. Benjamin
Dr. R. Jones, Pollard & Co., G. B. Porter, James
Stewart and E. Higgins. A further sum was later
on remitted, making, in all, about £1,600. In the first
week of June in 1815, the tablet was put up in St.
George's Church. At the same time there was also
erected a monument to the memory of Governor

The "Peacock" and the "Hornet." 105

HUGH LYLE Carmichael, whose death had taken
place meanwhile, to the sorrow of the inhabi-
tants.

On the 25th of February, 1813, the day after the
fight between the Hornet and the Peacock, the United
States frigate Chesapeake, on a cruise, passed over the
spot where the action had taken place. After cruising
off Barbados and Antigua, Captain Evans, her Com-
mander, steered homewards, and, on the 18th of April,
arrived at Boston. On the 1st of June, the Chesapeake,
now commanded by Captain James Lawrence, lately
of the Hornet sailed forth from Boston to fight
the British frigate Shannon commanded by Captain
Broke.

The result of the furious fight, which then took
place between these two fine ships, captained by
two most gallant commanders, is well known. As
the brave LAWRENCE was being carried below, on
receiving the wound of which he died within a
few days, he called out to his men, Don 't give up the
ship! The Chesapeake was carried into Halifax, on
the 6th of June, by Lieutenant FALKNER, third of the
Shannon^ and Captain LAWRENCE having died on board
her on the 4th, his body was taken ashore and buried
with full military honours. First Lieutenant Watt
of the Shannon being killed, and the heroic Captain
BROKE being disabled by his wounds, to Second
Lieutenant WALLIS, himself a Nova Scotian by birth,
fell the proud honour of carrying the victorious Shan-
non into Halifax. And now, when six and seventy
years have gone by, that Lieutenant Wallis yet lives,
and, as Sir Provo William Parry Wallis, G.C.B ,

O

106 TlMEHRI.

is, in his ninety-ninth year, Admiral of the Fleet in
the Royal Navy.

To Mr. Thomas Watt, the proprietor of the Royal
Gazette newspaper, the writer of the foregoing paper is
very much indebted for the loan of old files of that
Journal. These have supplied many of the details given
above.

Along the Essequebo and Potaro,

By the Editor.

jARLY in March, an unexpected opportunity of
a month's collecting trip offered itself, and the
Essequebo and the Lower Potaro were selected
as the districts to be visited — the former, through the
probability of procuring large animals of their kind;
more especially reptiles and fish, such as the cayman
and laulau ; and the latter, as a more zoologically un-
known district.

Starting from Georgetown on the 7th by the steamer
for Bartica, we made arrangements for a boat and crew,
with a special captain and bowman, to be ready to start
early on Monday, the nth, from the Grove; and in the
meantime ascended the Mazaruni to the Marshall Falls.
Little of interest, however, was obtained, the most de-
sirable specimen being a fine male of one of the red-
backed hangnests (Cassicus affinis). In the forest,
behind the Indian settlements above St. Edward's, bell-
birds ( Chasmorhynchus niveus) seemed to be plentiful ;
but they were difficult to find, being perched high up
out of range on the topmost branches of huge trees.

On the Monday morning just before getting ready to
start, we fortunately discovered that the keel of the boat
that was most suitable for our journey, had been badly
damaged in one of the cataracts, on the way down from
*-he Puruni, a few days previously ; and, as the damage had
not been reported by the captain, we were now delayed
for more than a day, while a new plank was put

O 2

108 TlMEHRI.

in. Early on Tuesday, we got off in our one large
bateau, with a crew of twelve men, made up of SCHOM-
BURGK, the captain, and his son, and of five river men
and five Indians. Owing to the difficulty of handling a
large boat in the cataracts and rapids, and the impossi-
bility of our boat being portaged by the men past the
great falls below the Kaieteur, it would have been advi-
sable to have taken a couple of smaller bateaux ; but as
these would by no means have been so suitable for our
special work, while the expense of an extra captain and
bowman would have been a considerable item, all idea
of visiting the Kaieteur was put aside, unless the chance
of a corial or woodskin offered itself later on when the
neighbourhood was reached.

Settlements of various sizes are to be found along the
river above Bartica Grove, of which Agatash and St.
Mary's Mission, may be particularly mentioned; and
these settlements, prettily and advantageously situated on
the rising ground and embosomed by the forest, present a
most inviting appearance. With such settlements be-
fore one's eyes, one cannot help wondering whether a
more liberal land policy — under which free grants should
be made, under special conditions of occupation and
cultivation, of the land now lying useless and unde-
veloped, and beyond the confines of civilisation — might
not tend materially to the advancement of the colony.

About twenty miles above Bartica Grove, and about
five miles above the mouth of the Morabally Creek,
where there is a large wood-cutting grant with a
fine house most beautifully situated, the granitic bars,
causing the various rapids which render the river
unnavigable, begin to appear. Below this point, the

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 109

water is studded with masses of rocks, of all shapes
and sizes, indicating the approach to the first rapids of
Aretaka ; while above, at varying distances apart, the
rapids extend for about fifteen miles, after which smooth
water is reached, extending, with scarcely any interrup-
tion, nearly to the mouth of the Potaro, some sixty miles
distant.

During the greater part of the second and third days
we were toiling among these rapids, pulling the boats
over in the customary manner by means of ropes, the
men standing in the water or on the rocks above the
rapid, as occasion offered ; unless, owing to the slight-
ness of the obstruction, it was possible to paddle
through — though, even then, only at a tremendous ex-
penditure of force, against an apparently slight current.
Marihi, formed by one great tumble of water over a
mass of granite, where the Rev. Mr. Pearce and his
family (one little boy excepted) were drowned some
years ago while descending, seems to be the most
dreaded of these rapids; though Waybrook and Itabally
are the most wearisome, since they consist of along
series of small and closely placed rapids, extending for
some miles towards the upper end of the set.

All along this pirt of the river the scenery is extremely
beautiful ; and the traveller has spread before his eyes
an ever changing picture. Islands of all shapes and
sizes, from the barren and often fantastically shaped
rock, at times capped by a single shrub or tree, to the
large and well wooded areas of several miles extent,
stud the course, hiding the true banks of the river;
while granite blocks, often intertwisted with gneissic
pieces, washed and worn into rounded masses by the

110 TlMEHRI.

action of water, and covered by a black or coppery-
brown layer, rise at all points, the effect being heightened
considerably by the contrast with numerous masses of
golden yellow sand. Such, at any rate, is the bright
picture afforded in the dry season ; and while, in the
rainy season, the rush of water at the rapids must be
markedly more grand, the general variety of scenery
must be correspondingly monotonous, where the water
stretches, nearly unbroken, from the dense forest line on
the one bank to that on the other.

In the neighbourhood of the rapids, animal life was
not all obtrusive, though, as touching birds and insects,
fairly varied in its character. Of birds, blue and white
cranes (Ardea cocoi and A. egretta) were frequently seen
singly by the waterside, together with the bronzed ibis
or bush curry-curry (Harpiprion cayennensis) and the
muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) , which more usually
rose from among the matted roots where there was a
muddy deposit. On the overhanging boughs or bare stems,
species of kingfishers (Ceryle) perched, and occasionally
alsoaducklar or darter (Plotus anhinga) , twisting its long
and snake-like neck in all directions, but never awaiting
our near approach — a marked contrast to the white-
backed or swallow- winged barbet (Chelidoptera tene-
drosaj, which rested at ease on the topmost twigs of the
dead trees scattered along the banks. The large black
bunya (Ostinops decumanus) and the yellow-backed
mocking bird (Cassicus persicus) flew from island to
island in numbers, uttering their hoarse cries, or jumped
about restlessly among the high trees, where their long
and pendent nests swung from the ends of the branches ;
while among the little islands by the rapids, the hand-

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. hi

some fall-bird (Paroaria gularis) darted like an arrow
from thicket to thicket, its blood-red head gleaming in
the sunshine. Various species of macaws, parrots, gulls,
and swallows, together with the ubiquitous black-headed
and red-headed carrion crows (Catharista atrata and C.
aura) and the common " qu'est-ce-qu'ildit" (Pitangus
sulphuratus) were also to be seen ; but the chances of
procuring specimens seldom came.

Of insects, the common "blues" (Morpho menelaus
and M. achilles), the green dido (Cethosia dido), the
common "yellows" (Callidryas) , the black and green
tailed moth (Urania leilus), and the common speckled
Anartia (A.jatrophae) — perhaps the commonest butterfly
in the colony — were most frequently noticed, generally
among the bushes along the banks.

At Gluck Island — a long and narrow island above the
last rapids at Ahara — where for the first time nearly all
travellers in Guiana see the Victoria regia growing in
its native home, we stopped in order to make our way to
the large pond at the southern end where the plant
grows, guarded by a dense thicket of the prickly Souari
palms (Astrocaryum) but owing to the extremely dry
weather, the pond had disappeared, and a long soft grass
covered nearly the whole extent of soft mud, except at
one central part whence some hundred or more hassars
(Callichthys) were taken, from a deep puddle about a
foot square. The lily was entirely dried up, only the
impression of the large leaves on the mud and a few of
the fibrous veins and stalks remaining. Small grass-
hoppers, and species of hairtails and other small butter-
flies— chiefly Anartia — swarmed among the long grass,
but it was almost impossible to obtain them owing to the

112 TlMEHRI.

soft footing in the mud ; while the prickly palms afforded
ample protection to the large black bunya birds and the
common spurwings (Parra jacana) which took refuge
among them.

Though disappointed at Gluck Island, we were fortunate
in finding the lily growing and flowering luxuriantly, but
densely crowded, with recurved leaves, in a smaller
pond in Cutuabanaboo Island, a few miles above the
mouth of the Tipuri river. Quite by chance I came
upon the pond, while wandering in the forest with my
gun, seeking specimens, as was my habit wherever we
camped ; and it seems to me by no means unlikely that
the other large islands possess corresponding ponds in
which the lily may be growing.

The pond at Cutuabanaboo, which is a deep one,
with, steep sides, is about fifty yards from the water side,
and is surrounded with tall forest trees, and, here and
there, clumps of Souari palms. Owing to its secluded
nature, it is the haunt of numerous birds, such as mus-
covy ducks, bitterns (Tigrisoma), herons (Ardea), spur-
wings, killacows (Aramides), etc., the cries of several
of which, more particularly the killacows, blend-
ing with the hoarse " cronk, cronk," of various tree-
frogs, woke the echoes of the place after sunset. The
pi-pi-yo or greenheart birds (Lathria cinerea) swarmed in
the surrounding forest, and kept up an almost deafening
noise when disturbed by the report of the gun. As
indicated by the size and the perfect freshness of the
track, an immense jaguar (Felis onca) must have
been disturbed at its evening drink by our approach,
and it seemed likely that the pi-pi-yo birds had
been excited by the ascent of the brute into one of

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 113

the trees close by ; but an eager search with some of the
Indians yielded nothing.

At the landing place here, our first perai (Serrasalmo
niger) was caught on a hook. The throw had scarcely
been made, ere the voracious fish had taken the bait,
and had been landed grunting and fiercely snapping its
terrible jaws ; and doubtless it had been attracted by the
smell of a wounded cayman (Alligator nige? ) which was
suspended from the stern of the boat, but quite out of
reach, above the water. This common species of perai,
apparently the most widely distributed in the colony,
with fiery reddish eyes and silvery sides, and with a pre-
vailing bluish-black tint over the rest of the body, was
the only one obtained on the trip, the largest individuals
attaining a length of about 12 to 16 inches. Its skin
was a most welcome one for the collection, since, hitherto,
it had been absent from the Museum set.

The perais (Serrasalmo) are, in many features, closely
related to the salmon of the north temperate regions,
with which they were formerly classed; but they are
rendered very different in shape owing to the peculiar
flattening of the body from side to side, which renders it
very deep from front to back. The toothed or saw-like
ventral line, from which the technical name has been
taken, renders them also easily distinguishable Their
voracity, accompanied by a formidable armature of sharp
triangular teeth, set in strong, thick jaws, has given them
a wide reputation for villainous biting, and one which is
easily understood when a fair specimen of their excising
power is under observation.

The family of fresh-water fishes, the Characinidae, to
which the perai belongs, is peculiarly rich in species, and

P

114 TlMEHRI.

attains its greatest development in this region (Neo-
tropical). It includes, besides, such widely divergent forms
as the common haimara (Macrodon) , the hoorie (Ery-
thrinus), the krumai (Brycon) , the biara (Hydrolycus) ,
the daree (Leporinus) , the cartabac (Tetragonopterus) ,
and the pacu (Myletes). The greater number possess the
soft and fatty dorsal, or " adipose," fin in front of the tail ;
while the swim-bladder is always transversely divided.
This family replaces that of the carps (Cyprinida?) in
this part of the world ; and it has affinities with the
carps, the salmons and the herrings.

Late in the afternoon, before camping at Cutuabanaboo
island, a young cayman, between four and five feet in
length, was shot on the bank ; and, as it was to be reserved
for skinning till the following morning, it was slung up
to the stern of the boat in a comatose condition, from
which, however, it partially awoke during the night,
and made frantic noises in its attempts to escape.
Xhe term "cayman," or "caiman," as used in the
colony, applies only to the large species of alligators, the
common large black cayman of the Essequebo being the
Alligator niger. This species seems to reach an extra-
ordinary size, since WATERTON has recorded the fa6l
that he saw one thirty feet in length in that river.*

Apart from its great size, the species may be distin-
guished by its black skin, obscurely spotted with white,
and by the possession of two small frontal ridges, evenly
dividing the interorbital space. Unfortunately, the term
Caiman has been applied technically to include those
alligators in which a frontal ridge is altogether absent,

* Waterton, Essays on Natural History, Second Series, p. 52.

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 115

while Champsa has been given to those in which such a
ridge is found ; so that a certain amount of confusion is
attached to the subject.

These reptiles are said to be extremely plentiful in the
higher parts of the river above Ouropocari, but in the
lower parts, they are but seldom met with ; and although
we saw them in the water, and on the sandbanks occa-
sionally, in the distance, the young specimen shot on the
dry land was the only one obtainable.

Early on Friday morning, we came in sight of Arrisaro
mountain, situated on the eastern or right bank, and
rising to a height of more than 700 feet above the sea-
level; but it was not till late in the afternoon that we reached
it and camped on the sand, on the left bank, facing the
mountain. A great part of the morning was spent in
hunting, and in skinning the specimens obtained, and
among them a fine collared peccary or abouyah (Dico-
tyles torquatus) that was shot by one of the Indian
huntsmen — a most welcome addition to our collection,
giving a chance for the renewal of the faded speci-
men which had done duty for a very long time in the
Museum, as well as affording a supply of fresh meat.
The peccaries, of which there are only two species, area
peculiarly interesting type of the ungulate animals, and
are the only American representatives of the great group
of the pigs (Suida). They are characteristic of the
Neotropical region, though ranging into the Near6lic,
to the southern parts of the United States. They
differ from the other pigs, chiefly, in possessing only four
instead of six upper incisor teeth, in being destitute of a
tail, and of the fourth supplemental hind toe; while they
are furnished with a peculiar dorsal gland, opening on the

P2

Il6 TlMEHRI.

hinder part of the back, and containing a liquid of a
strong and disagreeable odour.

Immediately after camping, the Indian huntsmen were
sent out, but they brought back only a large maam
(Tiiiamiis subcristatus) . The late part of the afternoon
was always, throughout the trip, devoted to hunting in
the bush for specimens to be prepared ; and, almost in-
variably, the early morning also before starting; and,
sometimes, later on when a halt was made for breakfast.
Generally, something was brought in desirable for the
collection of skins ; but the Indian mind was more deeply
bent on procuring " meat/' and in spite of the repeated
directions given to them when they set out, to bring in
specimens of certain kinds, accourie (Dasyprotla aguti)
and large maam were at first the almost constant result,
varied at times by one or more specimens of other
animals, among which the land tortoise (Testudo tabu-
lata) frequently figured.

Fishing was also vigorously prosecuted at special
camping places well-known to the men. Night after
night, the long lines were set for the larger kinds of fish,
skins of which I was particularly anxious to procure ;
but seldom did anything result. An effe£tive method of
procuring bait was made use of in throwing pellets of
counami leaves (Clibadium) into the water. After a
short time, the various small fish, which had swallowed
them, floated — often struggling under the influence of the
poison — and were picked up by the men who pursued
them swimming. " Daree" (Leporinus), a fish about
a foot in length, and looking very much like a salmon,
was almost invariably the bait thus caught.

The scenery of the river above the rapids was by no

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 117

means uninteresting. Great banks of yellow sand lay
bare in all directions, contrasting powerfully with the
frequent huge bars or dykes of dark granite and greenstone
(diorite) which, at times, stretched nearly completely
across the bed, with small deep channels through which
the water poured, while, at other times they survived but
as small tree-clad islands. The loamy and clayey banks
rose steeply from about 10 to 20 feet; and the green
line of the forest was frequently relieved by the glimpses
of higher land, in the distance, seen across the wide reach
of the river. Of flowering plants, however, there was a
marked paucity; though the varied foliage of many of
the forest trees, and chiefly the young reddish leaves of the
mora (Mora excelsa), tended to produce a floral effe6t.

It was at Arrisaro, however, that the scenery of the
lower part of the river first stamped itself upon my mind,
for the position of the camp was, in many respe6ts, an ideal
one. In front lay the wide river, shut in, like a pond, at
the sides, by two lines of dark, water-worn dikes ofgranite,
and blocked in the distance by a bank of golden-yellow
sand, over which towered the huge forest trees on the
high bank; while, in the immediate background, rose,
abruptly, the steep forest-clad mountain of Arrisaro — so
steeply, that the tall white trunks of the forest trees were
frequently unhidden, conspicuous against the prevailing
dark green foliage. Seen in the evening, with the direct
rays of the setting sun illuminating the face of the
mountain, and casting most vivid reflections in the
water, the view is indeed beautiful, though one
scarcely realises that the height of the mountain is
more than 700 feet. In the early morning, especially,
while the light fleecy clouds lie like a thin veil upon the

Il8 TlMEHRI.

top, the scene yields almost a complete satisfaction to
the artistic elements of one's nature, and one feasts
upon it more fully, perhaps, owing to the starvation from
which one necessarily suffers on the coast.

One could not but be struck with the fa6t, that, on
Arrisaro, there lies unoccupied a splendid site for the
much needed Sanitarium or health resort of the colony,
where, not only the jaded from the coast might rest
and recuperate, but where the hale and hearty would
find a welcome change from the flat coast, and be
brought within easy reach of some of the most interest-
ing parts of the interior. By the cutting of a canal
between the Demerara and the Essequebo, or, as appears
more likely to be done, along the banks of the latter
river past the rapids, the mountain could be brought
within easy reach of Georgetown, since, for the journey
along the river, steam launches of light draught could
be brought into service. From the abutment of the
mountain on the very bank of the river, the road to be
cut therefrom would be but a trivial matter; while a
comparatively small clearing on the top of the sharp
escarpment, facing the river, would throw into full and
uninterrupted view, the greater and most interesting
part of the marvellous panorama of scenery around.
With a primitive settlement founded on such an elevated
and salubrious site, and with the peculiarly striking
natural advantages which it would possess, who call tell,
but that in the near future, a fair city of health, set in its
own flourishing gardens and farms, might crown the
height of Arrisaro ?

At Curro-curro lake — a wide expanse of water at
the mouth of a creek on the left bank, separated

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 119

from the river by a high ridge, but leading into
it by a narrow entrance through the bush — we were
successful in procuring some fine specimens, among
them being a female " baboon" or howling monkey
(Mycetes seniculus) , a warracaba bird or trumpeter
(Psophia crepitans) , and some lizards, molluscs, and
inse6ts. In the lake, into which boats can pass when the
river is full, the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) — the largest
of the fresh water Teleostean fishes, growing to the im-
mense length of fifteen feet, and closely related to the her-
rings— is said to be found; but they are only obtainable by
shooting them with the bow and arrow, f rom aboat launched
on the lake. In the river, close by, a fine ducklar was shot.
The birds were so shy that the only chance of procuring
them was by resting the boat some distance away, and
sending an Indian to steal on them through the forest.

Soon after leaving Curro-curro, a fine view was obtained
of Yaya mountain, an inconsiderable elevation on the
right bank, and stretching far way in the background; and
in the afternoon, soon after passing Cumparu, where there
is an Indian track leading across to the Demerara river,
a camp was made at Shipariparu (i.e., " sting-ray water)"
on the right bank, close to an immense dyke of green-
stone which stretches across the river, within sight of
Oumiah mountain, in the distance, on the left bank.
Here, red-billed barbets (Monasa atra) are extremely
common and easily procured ; and a labba (Ccelogenys
paca) and an adoorie (Dasyprocla acuchy) were caught
during the evening, but so damaged by the dogs as to
be rendered quite unfit for skinning. An immense
cayman was seen floating in a bay in the distance, but
there was no chance of procuring it.

120 TlMEHRI.

The next day, Sunday — days which by special request
were set apart for rest — was spent at this same camping
place; and it was amusing to study during these days
the various occupations of the men — among which
elaborate cooking, and washing and mending of clothes,
formed the chief features. The making and baking of
"bulls" (an immense flat cake, made of flour and water,
and salt pork chopped into small pieces, and sufficient to
satisfy the hunger of at least six or seven men) was the
most serious item, and one requiring a considerable amount
of time — the baking being performed in the hot fine sand
and embers, over which a large fire had been made.

Not far above Shipariparu, Oumiah mountain on the
left bank comes into full view, and a few small rapids
are encountered, ere the mouth of the Potaro is reached.
Below the rapids, a very fine specimen of the rare and
curious, freshwater, matamata tortoise (Chelysmatamata)
was shot by the captain with the bow and arrow, and
several other animals were obtained while hunting. The
matamata presents a most grotesque appearance ; for its
carapace is covered with conical proje6tions, and its
non-retra6lile neck and head are furnished with curious
warts and bristly bunches, the head being broad and
flattened, and produced into a pointed beak.

On Smith's island, at a short distance below the mouth
of the Potaro, is to be found the site of an old Dutch
post — Smith's Post, as it is termed. Here the track of the
cayman led in every direction across the sand and into the
bush, and as it was said to be their season for laying, close
search was made for nests, but without success.

Early on Tuesday morning, we entered the mouth of
the Potaro, and found that the water here, as in the

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 121

Essequebo, was unusually low, rendering our travelling
tedious in the extreme. In the Essequebo, in particular,
sandbanks ran in nearly every direction, up and across
the river; and we spent hour after hour crossing and
recrossing at intervals, following channels that would
allow a passage for the boat, during which times but little
progress could be made. Nor, indeed, could the collec-
tion of specimens prosper, since two or three species of
swallows, gulls, and sand-pipers, were the only denizens
of these sand reaches.

At Tumatamari, where, about eight miles up the
Potaro, a great dyke of greenstone runs across the
river, forming a cataract of about twenty feet in height,
the view is, as all lovers of nature who visit it must
experience, almost a perfect vision of delight. The
river, broken up into two chief channels by a tree-clad
rocky island, tumbles, almost precipitously on the con-
spicuous northern side, down a rough mass of dark
rocks, curtained at either extremity by the great arch
of the forest, rising higher in the background; while
the immediate foreground of still water, flanked by
banks of golden sand at the edge of the forest, is sur-
mounted by a perfectly picturesque grouping of sand
below, and rock and tree above, opening out into a deep
valley on the southern side. Small clumps of narrow-
leaved shrubs densely covered with white and pink bloom,
and dotted here and there among the bare rocks, gave
an additional charm to the pi6ture.

Here, for the first time, pacu (Myletes asterias) were
obtained, a large female being shot by Schomburgk, the
captain, who was most expert with the bow and arrow —
evidently to the surprise of a Partamona Indian, who

Q

122 TlMEHRI.

contemptuously remarked to him as he started : —
" Buckra no able shoot pacu !" A dead specimen of the
krumai -(Brycon macrolepidotus) — a relative of the
perai and pacu, of lovely colouring, and remarkable
for the enormous size of its pale green and blue, silvery
scales — was picked up, but it was, unfortunately, so badly
bitten as to be unfit for preservation. The electric eel
(Gymnotus eleclricus) was said to be common below
the cataract, and one man indeed declared he had
received a discharge while pushing the boat ; but there
was no other evidence of their presence.

Nearly a day was spent at Tumatamari carrying the
goods across, and pulling the bateau up the south
channel, where, from the lowness of the water, a track had
to be made among the smaller rocks, and skids placed
over the large boulders, in order to get the boat over.

Among the trees and rocks at this cataract, a large variety
of orchids could be collected; we noticed, however, butfew
in flower; and those observed were by no means showy, but
generally inconspicuous. One rather conspicuous form,
(Epidendron no6lurnum) , with nearly white flowers grew
in abundance on the trees on the island in the cataract.
Many of the old trunks were literally covered with a
green mantle of this species of Epidendron, and a com-
mon species of Brassavola, among which were frequent
tufts of wild pines, and a small fern with long and narrow
fronds (Acrostichurn simplex). One common orchid
(Brassia) with very fleshy pseudo-bulbs grew in large
masses on the island in the cataract, even on the bare
exposed rock, where the temperature under the hot sun
seemed to be extremely prejudicial to its growth. The
flowering season for plants generally was over, and but

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 123

for occasional small clumps of hackia (Tecoma) covered
with its deep yellow bloom, of " kaieta" (Gustavia)
with its large white flowers, or of the deep blue spikes
of the Petrosa, the hue of the forest along the river was
almost unbroken, save where a creeper lay spread from
tree to tree with masses of pink foliage, or some forest
tree with young and coloured leaves appeared.

A few miles above Tumatamari, a very peculiar alli-
gator, of between four and five feet in length, was shot.
The species has no frontal ridge, and much the general
character of Alligator palpebrosus, but the head is con-
siderably more elongated and attenuated, while its
dorsal plates are not serially but irregularly placed. A
yellow-coloured specimen, having much the appearance
of Alligator ftundulatus, was also seen ; but it threw
itself into the water ere a shot could be fired. Here
too, for the first time, a sun-bittern (Eurypyga helias)
was seen flying along the bank ; and late in the evening,
the deep roar of a jaguar was heard at some short
distance from the camp.

Before reaching the mouth of the Curiebrong river, a
large three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridafiylusj , a male
with the conspicuous orange patch on its back, was
noticed climbing slowly high up among a mass of
creepers, and, after a considerable amount of trouble,
dislodged. A large Ackawoi settlement, Wiaparipie,
is met with just below the mouth of this river, and here
we rested for a short time and went aback. Nearly all
the people were absent, however, attending a large
paiwarri feast —much to the disappointment of the crew,
who had expected copious draughts of casiri.

Up to this point, but very few settlements had been

<J2

124 TlMEHRI.

met with since leaving Morabally. At Aretaka rapids,
we had passed a small settlement of two houses, prettily
situated on an island, and known as " The Croft," where
some " river people" lived ; and at the southern end of
Cutuabanaboo island, an Ackavvoi settlement of a few
houses had been observed. Higher up, close to the
mouth of the Dahalibani river, and again close to the
Curro-curro lake, small parties of Indians had been ob-
served in the distance, but no houses had been seen, nor
had any communications with the people been made.

On Thursday, March 21st, we reached the Potaro
mission, beautifully situated by the rapids of Ichowrah,
and here we settled down for the night, being most kindly
treated by the Rev. Mr. QUICK, who had but just returned
from the coast. Through his kindness in placing his
small bateau and his corial at my disposal, a visit to the
Kaieteur became possible ; and, after leaving our surplus
stores and the dried skins at the mission, we started next
morning for the great falls.

From Ichowrah upwards, the river is crossed by a con-
stant succession of rapids, cataracts and falls, which render
the scenery particularly striking. A marked feature of
the rocks laid bare, is their sharp-edged and pinnacled
form, characteristic of the quartz-porphyry, which along
the lower Potaro replaces the granite met wich in
the Essequebo. Ichowrah, Mowraseema, Cabanatout,
and Auritout, presented no serious difficulties, though at
Cabanatout, owing to the height of some closely placed
rapids, the boats had to be unloaded and hauled over-
land for about a quarter of a mile. At Pacoutout, where
the portage is a difficult one, more than half a mile in
length, and up and down a fairly steep hill, only the

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 125

bateau was portaged, the corial being taken up by
water, though with very considerable difficulty.

At Pacoutout, some of the most lovely of the mar-
vellous scenery of the Potaro is met with. For nearly a
mile, the river is broken up by rocky islands of various
sizes, more or less well wooded, into a series of chan-
nels, along each of which rapids, cataracts, and falls are
encountered at but short distances apart. When the
river is low, one is able to pass from channel to channel
by a judicious combination of wading and jumping;
and in this way, only, can an accurate idea be formed of
the whole wide extent of falls, glimpses of parts of
which can be obtained at intervals between the islands
and scattered bushes, where the catara6ts appear shooting
over an altogether irregular grouping of broken terraces,
seen against the dense forest on the hills in the back-
ground. Following the curves on the northern bank
along the edge of the forest, instead of the uninteresting
portage path, and ascending the hill into the bush only
when absolutely compelled to do so, one is amply re-
warded for the extra exertion and rough walking by the
views obtained : on the one hand, tree-clad and rocky
islets, often with great masses of water foaming and
tossing between and about them, with a white spray rising
like smoke from the cataract ; and on the other, stretches
of smooth dark water, brilliant with the reflected hues of
the trees, and more beautiful still, when, like a land-
locked bay, the water lies sheltered within a deep amphi-
theatre of forest.

Within the small rock-pools on the large rocks by
the edge of the forest, and where they are exposed for
a short time to direct sunlight, hundreds upon hundreds

126 TlMEHRI.

of small tadpoles, apparently of two or three species,
were to be seen, some just emerging from the egg mem-
branes, while others were somewhat advanced in
development ; and in some of the pools, eggs alone were
found in great clusters at the bottom. These deep little
pools were certainly safe places for the early develop-
ment of the little creatures, whose existence in the
river, would be extremely precarious owing to the enor-
mous number of fishes that must prey upon them.

Here too, between the rocks in the sheltered nooks,
some most curious long-legged spiders were to be found,
with red and extremely small bodies, which were but
little swellings at the meeting point of the very long
and thin legs, the third pair of which was of a bright red
colour. Their normal number of limbs was seldom pre-
sent; and it was surprising how quickly they dropped
them if held, and made off with but two or three on
each side. Without either a fine net or a killing bottle,
it was almost impossible to procure a specimen undam-
aged as to its limbs. A most curious habit of the
spiders was noticed when their webs were touched, for
then they rotated their bodies with such a rapid motion
that it was almost impossible to distinguish more than a
rapidly shaken web.

At the last of the series of cataracts, a splendid male
pacu was shot by the captain, and this, with the female
obtained at Tumatamari, made up a pair of very fine
skins for the collection, while its delicious flesh was a
most agreeable change from the tinned foods. In the
males, the anal fin is shorter, and the width of the body
less than in the females ; and the anterior part of the
body is marked with black and brilliant red spots. When

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 127

seen in the water, the pacu appears of a deep uniform
red colour, but, when taken out, the colouring is a dull
brownish purple, on which the red spots of the male are
extremely conspicuous. In shape they are much like a
large and thick oblong-bodied perai, but they have
teeth quite unlike those of the perai, being destitute of
the lateral cusps.

Several specimens of different groups were obtained
at Pacoutout, and among them a large ring-tailed mon-
key (CebusJ. In the forest, too, for the only time
throughout the whole trip, snakes were met with. My
assistant came upon two, close to an old stump, one of
which, according to his account, darted towards him, but
received on the way the contents of his gun. The
head was almost entirely shot away, sufficient of it being
left, however, to prove that the animal was an innocuous
one, though with elongated and curved maxillary teeth at
the back of the upper jaw, which, to one with an insufficient
knowledge, would have been — and, perhaps, excusably
so — proof positive of the venomous nature of the creature,
as indeed they had been to my assistant.

This snake, with much of the general shape of the
yellow tail (Spilotes corais), was of a yellowish white
below and a dull leaden-blue above, which, in the sun-
light, gleamed literally with all the colours of the rain-
bow, especially at different points dependent upon the
curvature of the body in certain directions. From what
was left of the body, it seemed to be very similar to, if
not identical with, a rare Colubrid, which has the peculiar
characteristic of inflating its body to a large size when
irritated, and at the same time flattening out its anterior
part, horizontally, with a very striking resemblance to

128 TlMEHRI.

the expanded hood of a cobra (Naja). When examined,
it was found to be a female, containing forty large, sub-
oval eggs, nearly ready for deposition, and this gives a
sufficient explanation of its desire to attack, while the
other one, presumably a male, made off into the bush.
It seems to me that herein lies the simple explanation of
the fact that certain widely distinct snakes, such as the
innocuous yellow-tail (Spilotes cordis) and the deadly
bushmaster (Lachesis mutusj, have been known, on good
authority, to take the offensive when met with. It cer-
tainly is not the habit of these snakes always so to act,
since they are frequently known to make off when
troubled — a fact, that, in the case of the yellow-tail, at
any rate, my own experience confirms.

Some few years ago there was a large Indian settle-
ment at Pacoutout ; and a clearing was made on the hill
on the northern bank, over which the portage path runs
and from which the view, commanding nearly the whole
valley below, must have been extremely grand. The
place is now deserted, however, and but one large settle-
ment is met with, at Manakparu, about half-way between
Pacoutout and Amutu, before the Kaieteur is reached.

From the upper end of the portage, the first distant
view is obtained of the abrupt northern escarpment of
the sandstone table-land, projecting like a bold headland
into a sea of forest ; and parts of this formation present
themselves to view at intervals as one journeys along,
until the actual valley is entered, which the river has
hollowed out in the table-land during the long course of
time. Soon after starting, a small rapid was encountered,
and here the river was partly blocked by thick clumps of
rushes (Thurnia)^ which afforded safe stepping-places in

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 129

the shallow water. Dreading the rough portage at
Amutu for the bateau, which was an old and very wide
one, we made attempts at Manakparu to obtain wood-
skins for the remaining part of the journey, but without
success, as the Indians were themselves preparing to set
out down the river. This at least was the report that
the men who were sent to the settlement, which is
situated at a considerable distance back from the river,
brought back with them ; besides, it was said that ail the
woodskins were of small size, though of this we had no
means of judging, since they were certainly not sunk in
the creek mouth at the entrance to the settlement, where
they might be seen or reached by us.

At this settlement, on the Sunday, but few specimens
were obtained, such as the smaller maroodie (Penelope
greeyi), two uncommon bush-shrikes, and a few insects.
Macaws and parrots were extremely plentiful, as indeed
they were all through the trip, but owing to their lofty
flight, high over the top of the forest, they were almost
invariably out of range.

Early on Monday morning we started for Amutu, a heavy
mist hanging over the river ; but gradually, as the sunrise
came, the mist passed away and the change was ushered in
withwonderful impressiveness. Previously, it had seemed,,
with the high line of forest on either side, as though
we were passing through a tall and stately avenue into
some phastasmal region ; but as the dawn broke and dis-
pelled the mist, and woke the chattering and quarrelling
of parrots in the high trees, and the quaint yelping of the
bill-birds, besides the countless cries and whistles of other
creatures, an indescribable cheeriness and freshness
seemed to burst upon the scene, where the long and

R

130 TlMEHRI.

narrow reach of the river, between the lofty, many-tinted
forest trees, lay like a pathway to the sunlit, mist-crowned
mountain, rising before us.

At Amutu, one passes from the narrow foam-flecked
river into a wide bay, with its amphitheatre of dense forest,
at the head of which the water thunders over the rocks,
but broken up by an island in the middle into two parts;
while, beyond, the valley opens between steep sidesof sand-
stone. Turning to the right, we made for the portage path,
and reached it with great difficulty owing to the shallow-
ness of the water. On this side there was no fall of
water, owing to the lowness of the river, and the high
sandstone ledge across the channel was perfectly dry.
The portage path here, which is about a quarter of a mile
in length, and always quite unavoidable, was extremely
bad owing to an overgrowth of pricklv bushes and tall
razor grass, which, added to the steepness of the hill and
the frequent rocks along the track, rendered the pulling
over a very unpleasant matter. On this account, only
the narrow corial was taken over, with food sufficient to
last for a few days — five of the men being left with the
bateau, with directions to clear the path for our return.

Above Amutu, birds seemed to be in great abundance,
but they were by no means easy to procure. A very
fine green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera), a large
Chrysotis and a duraquara-hawk were, however, shot and
made into skins. Parrots and macaws were constantly
passing high over head, shrieking, out of range ; while the
red-billed toucan (Rhamphastos erythrorhynchus) , the
black bunya (Ostinops decumanus), and the brown-barred
wood-pecker (Celeus) flew across at intervals, but well
ahead of the boat. Afar in the forest, the musical cooing

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 131

of the wood-doves plaintively sounded, while the bell-bird
or campanero (Chasmorhynchus niveus) rang out loudly
and clearly its own peculiar notes. The note of this bird
has very differently affe6ted travellers, by some of whom
it has been described as of a deep bell-like character,
and by others as more like the clinking of the hammer
on an anvil. No doubt some of this difference is due to
the individual sensitiveness of the ear for musical
sounds, while the distance at which the bird is heard,
and its age, also enter into its consideration. Two very
distinct cries are certainly to be heard, the one of a deep
bell-like character, something like the sound of the
combination " do-rong" (as Mr. C. B. BROWN expresses
it), with the latter syllable prolonged ; while the other is
a clinking sound, like the combination "kong-kay," with
the final syllable also prolonged.

Of inse6t life there was not very much to be seen.
Species of the white, yellow and orange butterflies (Pteris,
Callidryas, Aphrissa, Phoebis, etc.), and of the blue
butterflies, chiefly Morpho menelaus and M. achilles,
flitted along the banks or across the river, and
occasionally with them the lovely, glaucous-banded
Prepona (Prepona amphitoe) ; while small swarms of bees
(Xylocopa) at times buzzed around, and soitie most tan-
talizing and persistent flies wearied out one's patience.
In the forest, common species of Heliconius, Pierella,
Anartla, etc., were met with, but among the bushes it
was not easy to procure them.

At Warratu, where the last obstruction in the river is
met with before the landing at Tukuie is reached,
the luggage was carried over and the corial easily
taken up by water ; and we landed at Tukuie about

R 2

132 TlMEHRI.

ten o'clock on Tuesday morning (March 26th) in
time for breakfast.

The scenery of the river upwards from Amutu, had
been of the grandest description. Steep cliffs, several
hundred feet in height, in part bare, in part covered
with forest or with irregular bushy growth, fronted or
surrounded us, the river winding here and therebetween
them. But it was in the morning, when the mist lay lightly
over the hills, that the full beauty of the surroundings was
to be perceived ; and as the mist gradually lifted, small
patches rested on the slopes and floated like tiny columns
of smoke from woodland settlements — or, as one of the
crew feelingly remarked, " like people up there cooking
coffee." Once, a sudden bend of the river brought us
immediately face to face with a bold escarpment of the
formation, precipitous and bare, covered lightly with a
veil of mist, above which the rich morning sheen lay
upon the sky, and glanced down below upon the tree
tops on the hill-side ; while, thrown back against this,
the line of the forest by the river-side ran with clear
outline, and here and there some huge mora trees,
decked with their rich young colouring of leaves, rose,
framed like a pi6ture in a radiant setting. In the dis-
tance, where the great falls lay, the valley was filled
with a dense mist throughout the early morning ; and
at about two miles above Warratu, where the amphi-
theatre of the Kaieteur becomes visible for the first time,
only a misty bank was discernible.

From Tukuiej the Kaieteur has to be reached by walk-
ing; and at about eleven o'clock I started for the bottomof
the falls, followed by the bowman, JEREMIAH EDWARDS,
and three of the crew , who were desirous of accompanying

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 133

us. Here there is no track as there is to the top of
the falls, but by following the latter track for a short
distance, and then reaching the riverside by means of
one of the flat-bedded creeks that flow down to it, one is
able to walk nearly the whole distance along the bank
without any greater difficulty than that caused by stepping
or jumping, almost continuously, from boulder to boulder,
which after a time, however, becomes extremely tiresome.
At times a little wading in the water is advisable in
order to get round some of the more formidable rocks.

The arduousness of this journey really begins, when,
towards the upper catara6ts, immense boulders with pre-
cipitous sides abut on the river, and render it impossible
to pass round except through the forest, where, on
a steep incline, instead of an ordinary soil, the ground-
work consists of masses of sandstone of all shapes and
sizes, more or less disintegrated and packed together,
and usually covered with a treacherous layer of decayed
vegetable matter, above which plants of all sorts, but
chiefly creepers, spread themselves under the forest shade.
The walking in such places can be better imagined than
described, where climbing by means of rootsandbushropes,
slipping and sliding, and sinking in between rocks, was the
order of procession. A gun that I carried suffered some-
what from the rough handling of the rocks ; but this was
nothing, I have since heard, compared with what other
guns had suffered before. With the exception of a few
wood-pigeons and bush-shrikes, there was nothing to
shoot, and the gun after all was but a useless encumbrance.
In one of Mr. C. B. BROWN'S trips, a large labarria (Trigo-
nocephalus atrox) was met with and killed among these
rocks, but we encountered none of these creatures.

134 TlMEHRI.

At this upper part of the river, the Kaieteur ravine
becomes a very deep, and rather narrow, winding gorge,
with the sides on the right bank generally of a very
precipitous nature, bare in many parts, and shewing
frequent indications of small streams of water trickling
down its face. In the wet season, when these streams
become high cascades, the view must be considerably
more impressive, but the arduous forest walking would
then have to be much more frequently resorted to,
owing to the greater height of the river.

After about three hours' walking, we reached the com-
paratively still water at the foot of the cataract, which
slopes down directly from the edge of the pool into
which the water falls. At this halting place we had a
very good view of the upper two-thirds of the water-
fall, now narrowed to considerably less than one-half
the full width of its bed, but pouring a mighty volume of
water sheer down from the edge of the immense amphi-
theatre, more than 800 feet above. Owing to the low-
ness of the river from the long drought, the water fell
not as one undivided mass, but broken up by various
projections of rock at the edge into a series of seven
distinct falls, of which the western sixweresmall, and occu-
pied fully one-half of the total width, being dissipated into
rain and mist before reaching the bottom, ait distances from
the top dependent upon the size of each. On the eastern
side the great bulk of the water fell as one undivided mass.

At the eastern edge of that part of the bluff over
which the river falls, and which here lies nearly
East and West, the great precipice of the amphi-
theatre, curves out suddenly in a northerly direction,
making a distinct angle with the remaining portion,

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 135

which runs westerly for an immense distance, passing
into a wide and open curve round the head of the valley.
The waterfall may thus be described as lying in the
extreme eastern angle of the amphitheatre, facing
almost due north, and thus opening out in a direction
different from the general trend of the main valley
below, the direction of which is easterly. It is
thus hidden from direct observation from any point
far down the valley, by the intervention of the
northern projection of the eastern side of the bluff; and
only a portion of the western part of the amphitheatre
is thence visible, situated close to the western edge of
the river bed — that part, namely, which is directly oppo-
site the eastern aspect of the valley. In the wet season,
when the river is very full, the water covers a portion of
this part of the bluff, and thus becomes visible down
the valley, wherever a clear view is obtained of the face
of the amphitheatre — as for instance just above Warratu.

The front of the amphitheatre is sharply precipitous,
banked below, on both sides of the river, by a huge,
apparently smooth, green-covered bank, which follows
the curve of the bluff and eventually passes into it.
This apparently smooth bank, however, consists, in
reality, of huge boulders of sandstone and conglomerate,
with deep chasms between them, bare in the immediate
vicinity of the water, but evenly covered beyond by a
varied plant growth, among which the huge lily-like
Brocchinia cordylinoides is very conspicuous.

From our halting-place at the foot of the cataract, two
ways were open by which to reach the pool into which the
water descends: the one by boring one's way, or cutting a
path, through the shrubs which grow among the boulders

136 TlMEHRI.

along the western side, as was done by Mr. Brown in
his visit in July, 1870; and the other — considerably the
shorter, owing to the easterly bend of the channel — by
swimming across the river to the eastern bank, as was
done by Mr. Brown's companions, Sir GEORGE Young
and Mr. Mitchell. In the dry season, at any rate,
swimming across the river, in spite of the strong current,
is nothing at all serious to any tolerably good swim-
mer; and the plunge into the cool water is indeed a
most welcome refresher after the tedious walking. In
order to secure dry clothing for the return journey, we
all stripped, and, in pun's naturalibus, with the excep-
tion of a pocket handkerchief over the head, we swam
across, and clambered, and slid, and jumped our way
along the smooth and reddish black, huge boulders, piled
along the bed of the cataract, the total height of which
is 81 feet. The water from the pool trickled down be-
neath these boulders, and was but rarely discernible
between them. After about half-an-hour's peculiarly
arduous and difficult walking, the bowman and I reached
the edge of the pool — the other three men having
stopped about half way, not caring to follow us by
jumping across a deep and ugly-looking chasm, from one
huge and smooth rounded boulder to another.

The pool is of very considerable size, being at this
low state of the water apparently more than a hundred
yards in length, and appearing about the same in total
width, though, owing to the intervention of the great
fall of water, no really accurate idea could be formed of
it. In the wet season, however, the length of the pool
must be considerably greater, for then the wide extent
of bare and slippery rocks at the sides is evidently

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 137

covered with water, the greater overflow of which must
necessarily thunder over the boulders in the wide cata-
ract along which we had made our way. The water in
the pool, at the eastern side where the great mass fell,
was thrown into a wonderful turmoil, boiling and foam-
ing in great banks, and spirting huge columns upwards,
and for the greater part hidden by dense shifting vapour;
while, at the outer part, the surface was broken up into
small irregular waves, as on a wind-tossed sea. The roar-
ing of the waters at this proximity was terrible.

The immensity of this grand natural formation can
only be fully realised when one is brought, so to speak,
into its actual presence, fronting it from the edge of the
pool. The weird beauty of the scene, with the vast bluff of
the amphitheatre, spreading outwards in all its immen-
sity, and rising straight upwards, as it were, to the sky,
for nearly 800 feet, with the great thundering mass of
falling rocket-like water with its changing mist and rain
and foam, outlined against the darkened rock behind,
holds one with a feeling of awe; and one turns away
from the scene, subdued and quieted.

The falling mass of water, split up into its various
columns, was intensely beautiful, passing from its sherry
colour at the edge to a rich amber and pale straw, and
then to a creamy-white where it reached the pool; while
at the outer and shallow parts, where but thin curtains
of water passed, it broke up into pure white sheets, and
faded away into clouds of fine vapour or mist, veil
within veil as it descended, and visible, where the sun-
light gleamed upon it, as a dense shower of glistening
rain-drops or stars. The bottom of the small falls on
the western side, consisted but of these gleaming masses

S

138 TlMEHRI.

of descending mist, hovering over the surface of the
pool; while, on the eastern side, the foaming water fell
like an endless system of inverted rockets, or like an
inverted succession of dense smoke-wreaths.

Owing to the comparative smallness of the fall, a very
good view was at times obtained of the cavelike recess
of the cliff behind, which must continuously be hollowed
out to a great width in the sandstone, by the strong
backsplash of the water below, and to a less width by
the everpresent supersaturation of the rock higher up,
down the greater part of whose face water must
continuously be trickling. The recess extends sloping
upwards and outwards to but a comparatively short dis-
tance from the top of the cliff, apparently to the line of
the intensely indurated conglomerate which forms the
river bed above. Though vertically of great extent, this
recess is narrowed laterally, and must be almost hidden
from direcl observation long before the fall has reached
its full width, though a lateral view of its basal part
might be obtained from a favourable position, Dense
masses of vapour drifted at intervals out of this recess,
and generally they floated upwards over the edge of the
precipice ; but occasionally they were driven outwards
and downwards over the pool into the open valley.

The edge of the cliff along the river bed is markedly
irregular, due to the breaking away of parts of the con-
glomerate by the force and washing of the water; and
it was owing to this that in this very low state of the
river, the fall was broken up into the small channels on
the western side. Apart from this, however, the appear-
ance of the fall must be considerably changed at those
long intervals, when, by the continuous disintegration of

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 139

the softer sandstone below, the conglomerate floor above
the roof of the recess is unable to bear the pressure of
the superincumbent mass of water, and is thence dis-
rupted. After such disruptions the recess behind would
be of the least extent possible.

Standing at the front edge of the pool, nude as we
were, and altogether exposed to the cold currents of air
and the mist that struck outwards from the falls, we
became in a very short time terribly chilled, and were
forced to begin our homeward journey — besides it was
already late in the afternoon, and we had before us the
same difficult journey for the return to Tukuie, and
were by no means in a very fresh condition for it. The
return swim across the river was most delightful, the
water feeling quite warm after the chilling at the pool.
It was not till just before sunset that we reached our
camp, having encountered on the upland path the Rev.
Mr. QUICK'S brother, who, after spending a few days at
Ichowrah, was now returning to his distant mission
among the Macusi Indians near the Ireng river.

At Tukuie there was a large benab on the sand, into
which, in the hurry of the morning when we landed, all
our baggage had been placed ; but, as was discovered
later, the place simply swarmed with chigoes (Pulex
penetrans) and fleas. Each man after entering this
house for his packages, walked at once into the river to
get rid of the chigoes which in that short time had
clambered on the feet ; and as we had no desire for a
sleepless night, we all slung our hammocks to uprights
on the open sand or from the trees.

Early next morning, we started for the top of the falls,
along the well-beaten Indian track, the upper part of

S2

140

TlMEHRI.

which for some considerable distance leads steeply up
the hill, and is rendered tiresome for walking owing to
the numerous roots which crop out along it. On leaving
the forest, the main track leads on right across the sand-
stone plateau to the waterside far up on the Potaro ;
while another track, turning sharply to the left, leads to
the falls, first over a portion of the plateau, then through a
narrow stunted fringe of forest running nearly parallel with
the river, and then again across an intervening portion
of the plateau, to the edge of the amphitheatre, towards
which direction the sound of the fall is a sure guide.
The superficial parts of this plateau or savannah, consist
of a very uneven but indurated conglomerate, split up
and broken up by small cracks and gulleys, bare in many
parts, but usually dotted here and there, or covered with,
a spare scrubby plant growth of ferns, grass, shrubs and
creepers, among which the huge Bromeliad, Brocchinia,
is found in considerable excess, contributing towards the
very peculiar fades of the savannah.

At various points along the edge of the amphitheatre
fine views of the falls can be obtained ; and a markedly
advantageous position is found close to the extreme edge
of the bed, and formed by a broad shelf of rock projecting
for a few feet clear over the edge of the precipice and
supported by a smaller slab beneath. Standing at the
outer edge of this rock, one commands to a certain extent
a front view of the falling water. But the most satis-
fying view from the top was obtained by partially
jumping from rock to rock, and partially wading through
the shallow water, across the two small outer divisions
of the fall, to a big and bold projection of rock at the
edge, around which the river foamed. Here one stood

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 141

actually within the width of the foaming mass, and was
able to gaze downwards at the wild scene, and outwards
upon the marvellous panorama spread out below, away
as far as the eye could reach. Below, a splendid rain-
bow, lying like a gorgeous band upon the mist and vapour,
girdled the foot of the fall, and heightened the magnifi-
cence of the scene.

Gradually the eye takes in the individual parts that
make up the special beauty of the view, and then one
realises its perfect sublimity. The great foaming mass
of falling^ water ; the cavernous recess behind, with its
passing clouds of vapour, blown out by the wind ; the
pool below, into which the water thunders, appearing
quite small and undisturbed; the green-covered banks
on either side, broken by the cataract of stones in the
middle and by the still water below; the forming and
fading masses of vapour, barred by the great arch of
the rainbow, crossing pool and bank and precipice; the
immense rocky bluff of the wide amphitheatre, passing
on each side into dense forest; the open track of the
valley below, with silvery stretches of water, here and
there, amongst the green, marking the course of the
river ; and the immense forest-clad plain, shut in and
broken up by mountain beyond mountain, and reaching
away in the distance to the blue, cloud-barred canopy
of the sky: these are but the separate points that the
eye feeds upon — points that go to form the one indes-
cribable picture that holds the senses enthralled the
more one gazes.

On looking down on the rocky bed of the cataract
that leads from the pool to the still water below, we
could not restrain a smile in observing how short and

142 TlMEHRI.

level it appeared, and how small the great boulders and
the wide chasms seemed, over which we had so carefully
and slowly made our way to the pool. Distance, indeed,
lent enchantment to the view ; for, the day before, it
had been vastly otherwise !

Overhead, the white-throated swifts (Chastura
zonarisj, with loud and ceaseless twittering, circled back-
wards and forwards in dense flights high up out of
range, dividing at times into smaller flights, parts of
which darted at intervals down the face of the falls or
into the valley, while the others wheeled overhead, and
circled as before.

Search was made over and across the savannah, close
to the falls, and along the track to the landing, for desir-
able specimens ; but the region seemed almost desti-
tute, the few forms observed being all common and
widely distributed. Among these were a small barbet
(Bucco tamatia), the old witch (Crotophaga anij, the
palm-sackie (Tanagra palmarum), the silver-beak or
cashew-sackie, (Rhamphoccelus jacapa) one of the com-
mon species of kiskadie or qu'est-ce-qu'il dit (Tyrannus
melancholicus) , the black-breasted finch (Oryzoborus
torridus), and one of the red-breasted grass-birds (Sper-
mophila minuta). Among the butterflies were common
species of Morpho, Pier is, Callidryas, Phoebis,Pierella
and Junonia. A few lizards were heard amongst the grass,
but we were unable to procure them. No snakes were
observed in our short excursion, but during his botanical
examination of this savannah in September and Octo-
ber, 1880, Mr. JENMAN, Superintendent of the Botanic
Gardens, met with two species, one about twelve feet
in length, said to be poisonous, and called " sarepoo"

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 143

by the Ackawoi Indians, and the other, a tree-snake,
about five feet long, somewhat resembling the labarria.

The flowering season was long past, and it was but
very rarely that either flower or fruit was noticed ;
though the dead flowering stems of the large Brocchinia
told their own story. Doubtless the scarcity of animal
life was in great part dependent on the barrenness of
the savannah, a condition that the long drought must
have considerably intensified. For two consecutive days
the Indian huntsman ranged the district about the falls,
and each day returned empty-handed. The collection
made in this district was thus of a very limited kind, and
consisted but of a few small birds, chiefly bush-shrikes
and manakins, such as Pipra suavissima, and a
few insects. Attempts had been made to procure the
cock of the rock (Rupicola crocea), the hoarse cry of
which was heard on the hill above Tukuie, but without
success. A skeleton of a very singular form of well-
armoured Siluroid fish, called wata-wata, apparently
identical with Plecostomus bicirrhosus, was picked up
between the boulders on the cataract below the Kaieteur
pool. As already indicated, birds alone seemed to be
fairly plentiful along this ravine of the Potaro, and with
time to spare for their detailed collection, doubtless a
good set might be got together.

Just above Pacoutout, on the return journey, a young
welbiciri or wood-deer (Coassus humilis ?) was shot ;
and the huntsmen brought in, besides, the usual quota of
accourie and land-tortoises. The deer, though small,
was a most welcome addition to the collection, for
hitherto it had been unrepresented in the Museum. The.
young of the red deer (Coassus rufus) is often con-

144 TlMEHRI.

founded with the welbiciri, which it somewhat resembles ;
but its distinct ruddy colouring ought to serve easily
as a distinguishing character. A young red deer had been
procured earlier in the trip just below Tumatamari; and the
contrast between the two skins was very marked, the
colour of the welbiciri being more distinctly yellow-brown
below, and chestnut-brown above. In the adult, the size is
far inferior to that of the red deer or the savannah deer
(Cariacus savannarum) ; and the pale coloured spots
placed in lines along the sides are retained throughout
life — unlike the cases of the other two species of deer
in which the white spots of the young are lost with
growth. In the welbiciri the head is very short, and the
eyes and the lower front of the ear are marked
by a distinct pale patch ; the under part of the body and
the tail are nearly white,, while the middle back is of a
dark chestnut-brown, fading to a pale brown on the sides.
The lines of spots are of a pale yellow-brown colour, the
uppermost on each side being very regular and even,
and very distinct on the dark ground colour.

Remembering the rare alligator which had been pro-
cured going up, we kept a good look out for these reptiles ;
but though the curious pistol-like crack of their tails on the
water was occasionally heard during the night, we had no
chance during the day of procuring them. At Pacou-
tout, where the two boats were successfully taken down
by water, a fine fail-bird was shot and a few good in-
sects procured, together with a rare arachnid (Acrosoma)
with a bifid spinose abdomen. Here, too, a very fine
labba was obtained. The beast had been dug out and
chased from hole to hole by the dogs in the evening,
and the men, in despair, at last made a large fire at the

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 145

hole, which was afterwards plugged up so that the labba
could not escape. In the morning it was found dead
just inside, choked by the smoke, and its skin utterly
spoilt by the fire : its flesh, however, was delicious.

Early on Saturday, the 30th, we reached the mission,
and after reloading our own boat, and procuring, through
the kindness of Mr. QUICK, a plentiful supply of limes,
cassava, plantain, and sugar-cane — with the last of
which the men provided themselves with large bundles
— we started for the Indian settlement at Wiaparipie.
where we camped and passed the next Sunday. Truly
the mission at Ichowrah, so far as its position is con-
cerned, seems to be not only most beautifully, but also
most advantageously situated, for vegetables and other
plants grow to perfection, as judged by the samples that
came under notice.

At Tumatamari, we found it impossible to take the
boat down the south channel, for the water was consider-
ably lower than it had been a fortnight earlier ; and we
had therefore to let it down by the steep and dangerous
northern part, which, however, was accomplished with-
out any very serious mishap. One cannot but be struck
with the escape from serious accident under such circum-
stances; for the chances of a safe performance are by
no means always satisfactory, where the slipping of a
rope or the sharpness of a rocky projection in the chan-
nel might make all the difference imaginable as to the
result.

The districts about the junction of the Potaro and
Essequebo are said to be very good hunting grounds,
more especially for the large peccary or kairuni (Dico-
tyles labiatus) and the tapir or maipurie (Tapirus amen-

T

146 TlMEHRI.

canus), and our huntsmen were sent across through the
forest on the southern side of the Potaro, to meet the
boat higher up on the Essequebo, into which river we
passed early on Tuesday morning. The change from
the dark water of the Potaro to the clear water of the
Essequebo was most striking, and towards the right
bank, where the currents are strong, a sharp line of
demarcation exists between them. With the exception
of an ocelot, the hunters only succeeded in procuring
the more usually occurring animals ; but along the river,
however, we were fortunate in getting two very fine
sting-rays, a male and female, apparently of two differ-
ent species, both of which were shot by the captain with
the bow and arrow.

The bodies of these specimens were quite thick for
their kind, being more than three inches at the centre, but
quite thin at the edges. In shape they were nearly
circular (with the tail inserted within the general out-
line), the larger female specimen being about two feet
in diameter, though owing to repeated, and, in some
parts, quite recent bites from the perai and other
enemies, great junks of flesh were wanting at the edge,
and thus gave an irregular outline; while the tail, which
is quite short in comparison with those of their marine
congeners, is rendered ridiculously short by being
bitten off by perai quite close to the poison spine — a
destructive weapon placed at about half the diameter of
the body from the insertion of the tail. The upper sur-
face was covered with small spines with stellate bases ;
but these increased greatly in size towards the tail, along
which they were arranged in a distinct line along the
top and sides. The poison spine in the larger specimen

Along the Esseouebo and Potaro, 147

is more than four inches in length, swordlike and flattened
from front to back with serrated edges, the serrations
pointing forwards. The wound inflicted by such a wea-
pon is formidable in itself; but recent observations tend
to shew that the mucous secretion over them is poison-
ous in its nature, and it is this deleterious matter which
so often renders the wound serious in its results.

The two specimens in their colouring and barbs
differed considerably from each other and from the
specimens met with and described by SCHOMBURGK as
separate species ; but it is possible that sexual charac-
ters and wide variation may explain these points as
found in one species. In the male, which was
readily distinguished by clasping organs, the colour
was of a dirty, yellowish slate, dotted over with
orange spots placed in little groups of from one to six,
like the pores in the cyclosystems of the Hydrocorallines;
while the spine was single. In the female, the colour
was duller and paler, and the pale orange spots were
set in small, nearly black areas, scattered over the body ;
while there were two spines, the posterior one being
shorter.

The related specimens found and described by
SCHOMBURGK, whose figures indicate that the specimens
were all females,* were referred to two species : Trygon
histrix, in which the colour is greenish-brown, irregularly
spotted over the body with black, and the spine double,
the posterior one equal to the anterior ; and the Trygon
garrapa, in which the colour is of a yellow umber-brown,
covered with yellowish white spots surrounded with a
dark margin, and the spine single. These two apparently

* Fishes of Guiana, Vol. II., Plates 20 and 21.
T2

I4§ TlMEHRI.

distinct forms have been referred to the one species,
Trygon histrix, by GUNTHER ;* and in face of the
wide variation of this specific type, the examination
of a very large series of specimens is necessary before
one can pronounce definitely as to the distinctness of
the two Essequebo sting-rays obtained.

It has been remarked by SCHOMBURGK that, when
transfixed by poles, the sting-rays frequently brought
forth young ones, no doubt due to the anguish caused by
the wound ; and in the single female obtained, a similar
extrusion of three young ones took place when a cutlass
was pressed into its heart to kill it. The young were
furnished with tails about twice the length of the body,
and were entirely destitute of any form of spines.

The skinning of these large fishes, owing to their
softness and sliminess, was of the most tedious and tire-
some nature ; and it required a considerable amount of
devotion to complete them. As an instance of the
effect of the barb, it may be mentioned that the
jagged edges of the spine but slightly scratched one
of my fingers, and this became quite swollen and
charged with small vesicles along the scratch, and
for days afterwards remained in a most painful condi-
tion. The fishes are justly dreaded; and considerable
care is required in bathing or wading where they
are found, since, owing to their fondness for burying
themselves in the sand and mud, it is not always easy to
distinguish them, though, when gliding over the bottom
in the shallow water, they can be distinctly seen.

Soon after the rays were obtained, a splendid golden
and spotted sun-fish or lucanani (Cichla ocellaris) was

* Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, Vol. VIII., p, 482.

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 149

shot with the bow and arrow by young SCHOMBURGK ;
but while the fish was being skinned in the boat, and its
abdomen already quite cut open, an unlucky turn of the
hand brought it in view of the water, when, with a sudden
jerk, it escaped from the hand of the assistant and disap-
peared over the side, destined as an almost instantaneous
prey for the perai. A perai, a freshwater bashaw, and a
few shells and birds, were also obtained and preserved.
In order to procure a large supply of various species
of fishes, it had been determined to poison one of the
creeks near Warraputa with the haiari, but no favour-
able creek could be found, since, owing to the very dry
weather, the water was reduced to most slender propor-
tions in all those met with.

The main river itself was reduced to very limited pro-
portions in many places, split up into small channels
between the great banks of sand; and at Canaruck,
where a huge tree-clad and broken dyke of greenstone
runs across a wide curve of the river, the only passable
channel was found at the extreme western end of the
curve. All along this part of the river, the scenery,
always varying in its character, was of the most charm-
ing description, the effect being heightened by the
ranges of mountains on the western bank.

Not far above the Canaruck dyke, the first small rapids
of the great catara6l of Warraputa are met with ; and
here the pacu were found in immense numbers, darting
and leaping nearly out of the water, and shewing their
deep red colour to the best advantage. Above this we
came to the great island that splits up the river into two
main channels, and we camped on the left bank, at the
foot of the long series of cataracts.

150 TlMEHRI.

Here a Brazilian settler and his family lived on the
site of the old mission station, and of the new one that
is to be, for whose formation the Rev. Mr. Quick, who
had travelled down from Ichowrah, was making arrange-
ments during the time of our visit.

At Warraputa, the river is impeded by immense
bars and dykes of granite and greenstone, and it
widens out over an extensive area, split up into
small channels between the numerous rocky islets.
Along the channel by the eastern bank, and about two
miles above the settlement, are situated the curious
"Timehri" or rock inscriptions. These interesting
remains are being rapidly destroyed by the disintegra-
tion of the rocks on which they are found. In many
places the inscriptions are already obliterated, and it is
impossible to declare what was the original pattern from
the one or two lines or curves existing. Many of the
huge blocks on which the "Timehri" are most distinctly
seen, have been split up by the agencies of heat and
moisture, and parts of one and the same inscription are
to be found on the adjacent parts of the blocks.

They evidently were of considerable depth originally ;
and indications of this are to be found in one or two
places where the ridge between any two lines of the
inscriptions is considerably higher than the generality
of the others. When one takes into account the extra-
ordinarily a6live denudation to which these rocks are
alternately subjected, at one season exposed to the
action of aerial, and at the other to aquatic forces — for
they are submerged when the water is high — one
cannot but realise that these inscriptions, if they be
at all ancient, must have been of at least some inches in

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 151

depth, in order that they should have lasted to the
present time.

On many of the rocks, a- very considerable caking
off of the surface is taking place — a superficial
cleavage that removes, in some parts, a layer more
than an inch in thickness. Many of the "Timehri" in-
scriptions are found on such shelving masses, and in
places where a thick layer has already partially broken
away, the inscriptions are either entirely wanting or are
but barely discernible on the newly exposed under
surface. On one large overturned block, which seems to
have been more or less cubical, with inscriptions on its
four sides, the patterns are clear but shallow, and the
splitting up of the large block, both horizontally and
vertically, is a present sign of its early destruction.
Even at the very low state of the water at the time when I
inspected them, some of the rocks on which inscriptions
were found were partially submerged : and while there
is nothing to shew how long ago the displacement here
evidenced took place, the guesses one might make at
the antiquity of the inscriptions are at the best perfectly
futile. The question of the implements made use
of to cut out characters or figures of the kind here
shewn, is one, too, that is fraught with a good deal
of perplexity.

At Warraputa an interesting collection of specimens
was made; and it was with great regret we were
compelled to turn away after a day's stay — the limit of
the trip being nearly reached, judged by the light of
our short experience, the district and its neighbourhood
would make a splendid collecting ground. All the great
groups are represented by typical forms; and doubtless

152 TlMEHRI.

a few weeks' careful examination would be productive
of a large number of interesting specimens.

During nearly the whole time of our stay, rain fell in
torrents, as though to warn us that the wet season was
at hand ; and on this account not only the collecting of
specimens, but the preparation and drying of the skins
suffered considerably. Very fine specimens of the quata
or spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) and the beza or
bearded saki (Brachyurus satanas) were obtained.
These two forms may well be taken as select members
of the Platyrhine division of the monkeys — a division
that is as sharply characteristic of the American conti-
nent as the Catarhine division is of the old world. In
both forms the faces are wonderfully human in aspect.
In the quata, the skin of the face is of a pinkish tint, in
wonderful contrast to the long black hair on the body,
and the whole expression is gentle and mournful ; while
the beza is black-faced and black-bearded, with long
black hair on the head and parted in the middle, while
the expression of the face is one of alertness, if not of
fierceness. The platyrhine character is well shewn, in
both the septum of the nose being thick so that the two
nostrils open sideways; while the catarhine character of a
thin septum to the nostrils is exemplified in man, and the
man-like apes and the other monkeys of the Old World,
in which the nostrils open downwards.

Among the birds, specimens were procured of the war-
racaba or trumpeter (Psophia crepitans) , of the brilliant
and curious houtou (Momotus brasiliensis) — a bird
with the curious habit of pulling away barbs of its two
elongated tail feathers, which thus become quite paddle-
shaped ; of the lovely sun-parrot or hia-hia (Derop-

Along the Esseouebo and Potaro. 15;

tyus accipitrinus) with its gorgeous eredtile ruff of blue
and red feathers ; of the scarlet-headed fall-bird (Paro-
aria gularis) ; and of the yellow hangnest or mocking-
bird (Cassicus persicus) and other specimens. Parrots,
macaws, king-fishers, herons, ibises, bitterns, ducks,
tanagers, shrikes, swallows, doves, etc., were plentiful,
but in our short stay they were not obtainable. A few
insefts and some interesting shells, chiefly bivalves, were
also collected.

The specimens of fish caught, though few in number,
were very interesting in kind. Two perai (Serrasalmo)
were taken by the hook, and one of these was placed in
spirit, while the other, a large one, was placed overnight
in a pool of water hollowed out in the sand, from the
bottom of which a large quantity of decayed vegetable
matter was taken to deepen it for the wide body of the
perai. The specimen died and became spoilt before
morning ; but the trouble of making the pond was re-
warded by two most interesting species of small Siluroids
which were taken out among the mixed sand and de-
caying leaves. Both species are referable to the Loricaria
or mailed Siluroids, and are allied to the hassars (Cail-
ichthys) from which, however, they differ considerably in
form, having depressed bodies rapidly decreasing in size to
the tail, with the mouth quite on the under aspe6l of the
body and almost destitute of distinct barbels, and with tails
of unusual shape — in one form almost destitute of an upper
lobe, and in the other with each lobe drawn out into a
very long thread-like process. In the latter specimen,
the front of the head is produced into an elongated
rostrum, so that the form is evidently referable to the
genus Acestra, and differing from the A, amascnum

u

154 TlMEHRI.

only in having the snout slightly upturned and thickened
at the extremity. In the former specimen, the mouth
is furnished with the hairy processes characteristic of
Chaetostomus, and the species seems to be identical with
the Chsetostcmus leucostidlus, in which the opercular
spines are short and few in number.

Another fine Siluroid caught at the camp was the
maripak (Perinampus typusj, a fish of fine steel-blue
colour above, passing to grey below, and remarkable
from the peculiarly large and broad barbels which had
much the appearance of long and narrow pieces of tape.
This fish presents a very good example of the soft and
scaleless skin destitute of the osseous scutes so character-
istic of the generality of the Siluridae.

Among the islands, a considerable number of orchids
might be collected, the most easily obtained being species
of Epidendron, Brassia, Brassavola, Maxillaria, Bate-
mannia and Zygopetalum, the last of which are found
on the greater number of trees on the banks close by
the " Timehri " inscriptions. The forest apparently
abounds in valuable products, and some few years ago,
the district above Warraputa was the head-quarters of
the trade in gums, tonquin beans, etc., carried on by
American collectors. A few miles above Warraputa, at
Hiawah, gold is also being obtained in paying quantities ;
so that the vicinity is an interesting one from many
standpoints.

It was at Warraputa, that the even tenor of our pro-
ceedings was varied by a little degree of excitement, due
to the non-return at night of one of the Indian huntsmen
who was a stranger to the district. The captain's great
horn was long and lustily blown, the guns were frequently

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 155

fired, and the boat sent up and down the river to search
for him but without result; and in the morning another
Indian was sent out, blowing the great horn. Almost
immediately after, the missing huntsman, who had
followed a deer too far and had been overtaken by the
stormy night, turned up from the opposite direction and
proceeded to consume his early meal as though nothing
had happened; while in the distance the great horn was
sounding out for his return, and kept on sounding for
some considerable time ere the blower could be re-called.

On the return journey, a camp was made quite early
at Canaruck — a place noted as a special hunting-
ground for the lau-lau and other large Siluroids — where
also two fine peccaries (Dicotyles torquatus), two
maams (Tinamus sub-cristatus), and a large powis or
bush-turkey (Crax aleclor) were procured and skinned.
The peccaries were horribly infested with the small and
hard bush ticks, and it was altogether out of the question
to keep them off one's body, since the crab-oil which is a
very good preventative against all these parasites, had
been lost a day or two before by an accident to the
bottle.

The long line fishing yielded no lau-lau, but a very tine
tiger-fish (Platystoma tigrinum) was caught, brilliantly
marked with its black and white cross stripes on the
blue and scaleless ground, and with red fins ; and also a
large golden-eyed baiara (Hydrolycus scomber oides)
more than two feet in length, with bright silvery-
scales and two enormously long and sharp strong teeth
in the front of the under jaw, fitting, when the mouth is
closed, into sockets in the upper jaw, like the so-called
canine teeth of the alligator. Both of the specimens

U2

I56 TlMEHRl.

were skinned, but the baiara having been caught early
was almost too soft for the purpose.

Earlier in the evening, a large paruaruima (Phratlo-
cephalus hcmiliopterus) , or so-called fresh-water gil-
backer, was caught on a short line, but, as it was pulled
out of the water, a perai leaped at its tail and denuded it of
half of its caudal fin. The paruaruimais noted amongall the
fishes of Guiana for the extraordinarily loud noises which
it makes when it is drawn out of the water — loud bellow-
ings they may be termed, rather than gruntings ; and
certainly the specimen which we caught did not belie its
reputation. It was placed in a small shallow pond to be
kept alive for skinning till the morning, and during the
night it gave loud voice to its discomfort. Unaccustomed
as I was to the noise, its loudness was to me, at first, a
constant surprise.

This fish, of which kind only one species is known, is
of a very striking form and colour. The body is large,
but the head is disproportionately large, and is covered
by a thick helmet which meets a smaller dorsal plate
in front of the dorsal hn. The cavity of the mouth,
the stomach and the air-bladder are very capacious. The
upper part of the body is olive-brown, the shields being
paler and covered with black depressions; the sides are
bright yellow, passing into a whitish-yellow below;
while the tail is rich orange, with intensely red inter-
spinous streaks, and the other fins more or less tipped
with reddish-yellow.

Our camp had been made on one of the islets of a large
greenstone dyke, overlooking the various sandbanks in
the curve of the river. On one of these banks the men
had taken up their station for fishing — the long lines

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 157

being taken out into the deep water by the boat — and
their voices could be just distinguished, borne across the
water by the breeze, amid the varied croaking of the
tree frogs, which, during this evening in particular,
seemed to be en fete — perhaps excited by the loud bel-
lowing of the paruaruima. A caiman, evidently a large
one considering the peculiarly loud and prolonged
groaning sounds which it uttered, visited the waterside
just after dark, and from the closeness of the cry, the
reptile must have landed, before being disturbed, close
by where the dogs were tied and where the bush-hogs
had been skinned and cut up in the afternoon, not more
than about ten yards from our hammocks. The Indians
maintained a stolid indifference to the sounds, but my
assistant and I hurried to the waterside with the breech-
loader and rifle, and paraded there like twosentinels, nearly
bursting our lungs in the endeavour to closely imitate
the sound of a brother caiman — apparently with but
indifferent success, judging from the roars of laughter
to which the men on the sandbank gave vent. We at
last saturated the viscera of the bush-hog with arsenical
soap, and placed it as a bait on the sand ; and though
in the morning it had disappeared, the reptile was no-
where to be found: its meal, however, must certainly
have been a fatal one for it.

During this evening, for the first time in my bush
travelling, I observed the intensely bright luminosity
at times noticeable with certain kinds or conditions of
decaying vegetable matter. The small pieces of soft
white wood from which the luminosity arose, gave rise
to the light not only on their surface, but from the inner
parts when they were laid bare; and when they were

I58 TlMEHRI.

rubbed, minute particles broke away and adhered to the
fingers as though a piece of phosphorus itself had been
handled. The superficial parts, however, were more
luminous, especially where small fungal growths were
distinctly noticeable ; and it is possible that the lumi-
nosity was attributable to this cause of decomposition,
whose minute mycelial threads would necessarily ramify
throughout the soft woody tissue.

It is not often that, in a state of nature, instances of
decrepitude are met with. The conditions of natural
life soon weed out from the struggle for existence those
that are infirm, whether from disease or old age, and
which are thereby incapacitated not only for acquiring
the means for their existence, but also for protecting
themselves against the dangers inseparable from life.
One such instance we met with in an old male " baboon"
or red-howler (Mycetes seniculus), in which the whole
body was extremely emaciated, and covered with very
pale yellowish-grey hair, though its limbs, tail and beard
were considerably more normally tawny-red in their
colouring. Its beard too was very long and full, and its
teeth large and black. AItogether,itwassimply what might
be described as a faded specimen of skin and bones.

A little above Shipariparu, the site of our first, and, as
it happened, of our last Sunday's camp, we came upon
three fine specimens of our largest stork, the negrocop
(Mycteria americana) — the only ones we had seen on the
trip — standing on the bank like white-bodied statues, with
black heads and bills, and red-collared necks, distinctly
outlined against the yellow sand. They never gave the
chance of a range from the waterside, and, as though
scenting danger, always alighted so far from the forest

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 159

line as to render it useless to attempt stalking them
from the bush. When we landed at the camping-
ground, they were quietly standing on the opposite
sandbank as though to study what our future movements
might be; and there they stood, motionless, till the sun
went down.

Early next morning, the curious whistle-like cry of a
quata monkey (A teles paniscus) was heard some dis-
tance away from the camp, and a Macusi huntsman
volunteered to get it, imitating its cry so exa6tly as to
afford a very good instance of the comparative ease
with which a good bushman is often able to procure the
animals needed by him, by practically calling it to him
to be shot. When the man had disappeared some little
time in the bush, so that the loudness of his voice was
deadened, it was perfectly impossible for me to distin-
guish which was his imitation and which the real cry of
the brute. Not long after, he returned with the specimen,
which added a very fine skin to the collection.

We landed at Cumparu on Monday morning, and
walked a short distance along the Indian track which
leads to the Demerara river, on our way disturbing a
flock of monkeys which scampered away, shrieking, in
the tree-tops high up out of range, swinging themselves
from branch to branch A few immense old mora trees
were met with that served well to give one an idea of the
sizes of these giants of the forest. The central parts below
were quite hollowed out, and the huge trunk above was
supported by a series of massive and broad buttresses.

Opposite Yaya mountain, the river was reduced to a
small and narrow channel on the right bank, the width of
the river being occupied by immense sandbanks, here and

160 TlMEHRI.

there covered with a few inches of water. As this would be
almost our last chance of prolonged hunting, we camped
early on the left bank opposite Arrisaro mountain and
sent out huntsmen in all directions on both banks. The
only result, however, was a few accouries, a fine owl,
and a female quata monkey and her young, the latter of
which was perfectly hideous in appearance.

Here was our last chance for lau-lau ; and fortune at
last was kind to us, for one was secured, though a
comparatively small one, a little over three feet in length.
Another and a larger one was hooked, but it broke
away at the very edge of the water during its frantic
struggles while being drawn out. The lau-lau, like the
paruaruima, makes a very loud bellowing noise when
taken from the water, and doubtless when full-grown
specimens of from ten to twelve feet in length are caugh^
the noise must be remarkable.

The drawing of the fish, as given by SCHOMBURGK,* is
not quite representative : a specimen appears deeper from
front to back — especially at the dorsal fin — in proportion
to its length, than is shewn in the figure, and the second
pair of mandibulary barbels are longer, reaching to the
insertion of the pectoral fins; while from the anterior ex-
tremity of the dorsal fin, the body slopes slightly and
gradually to the extreme rounded edge of the upper jaw, so
that the whole space is one slight concavity, and is desti-
tute of the anterior swelling which seems represented in
the sketch. The head and the front of the trunk are>
therefore, markedly depressed.

The skin is soft and reticulated, covering the whole

* Fishes of Guiana, Vol. I., p. 193.

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 161

upper surface of the head and neck, and of a prevailing
greenish-purple or black colour, fading into a silvery
grey below, with obscure dark spots. The head is broad
and flattened, widening slightly to the pectorals, and
nearly one-fourth the length of the body (including the
caudal fin); the upper jaw longer than the lower; teeth
small, fine, and crowded in a broad band upon both
jaws. The band upon the palate is separated by a narrow
interval; the eyes are small, and with bluish-grey iris.
The barbels are six in number : the first mandibulary
pair short; the second longer, reaching to the insertion
of the pectoral fins ; and the upper pair very elongated,
reaching nearly to the end of the ventral or pelvic fins.
The adipose fin is high in front, sloping down to the
body behind, and slightly longer than the anal.
D. 1/6. P. 1/9. V. 1/5. A. 13 (12).

The first dorsal ray is a thick spine, smooth in front,
jagged and finely spinose posteriorly, and produced above
into a distinct whip-like filament. The first pectoral ray
is a sharp, strong spine, serrated on the hinder mar-
gin. The first ventral is enlarged, but flexible. The
tail is symmetrically lobed, but the first ray of the upper
lobe is produced into a whip-like filament. The first
anal ray is very small and short and almost inconspicuous.
The lateral line is distinct, and much curved, continuous
behind with a prominent rib.

The body, behind the pectoral fins, rises high upwards
to the dorsal fin, where a transverse section is nearly
triangular in shape, though the sides bulge out and are
rounded: it becomes slightly flattened above to theadipose
fin, where it rises a little and sinks again to the tail.
Behind the pelvic fins the body becomes sub-cylindrical.

x

162 TlMEHRI.

From this detailed description it will be seen that the
lau-lau is clearly identical with the Piratinga reticulata
(the old Bagrus reticulatus of Kner), from whose terse
description, as given by GUNTHER,* it differs only in the
presence of an extra or thirteenth anal ray. This, how-
ever, is so small that unless they were exposed by a
section, it would be unnoticed, as possibly was the case
originally. It is, however, a point of no real importance.
The lau-lau has thus a wide distribution, being already
recorded from the Rio Araguay, Rio Branco, and Rio
Madeira.

The flesh of the lau-lau is delicious, as indeed is the
case with the flesh of the great freshwater Siluroid fishes
generally; and although, while the specimen was being
skinned in the boat, it was exposed to the hot sun till late
in the morning, it was a most delicate morsel, even when
prepared in the rough manner that is more or less
general in bush life.

The great family Stluridse, to which the lau-lau, the
tiger fish, the paruaruima, the maripak, the gilbacker, the
wata-wata, the hassars and other similar fish, belong, is,
after the Carps (Cyprinidae) , the largest family of the
fresh-water fishes ; and it attains its greatest develop-
ment in this region (Neo-tropical), where it also enters
the shore waters. From the other Teleostean fishes
which are provided with a swimming bladder communi-
cating with the outer medium by a special du6l (Physo-
stomtj, this family is distinguished by its naked or scaleless
skin, in which bony scutes are often found, and by the
possession of paired barbels, or small elongated ta6tile
organs, around the mouth. The first ray of the dorsal

* Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum, Vol. V., p. 113.

Along the Essequebo and Potaro. 163

and pe6loral fins is also generally a hard and strong
moveable spine ; while an adipose or fatty second dorsal
fin, of very variable form, is a common characteristic.
Among the Siluroids many of the largest freshwater
fishes are to be found.

Lower down the river, at "The Croft/' among the
rapids at Aretaka, where we landed and procured some
large clumps of an Epidendron (E. bicornutum) , we saw
a thick part of a fish, known as the shanna or black lau-
lau, which must have been of some seven or eight feet
in length. The species was said to be of much the same
shape and size as the lau-lau, but with the skin marked
all over with large black spots. It would appear to be
either a Platystoma or Pimelodus, but there was no
possibility of fixing the identity of the species.

Among the rapids just above Marihi, we were most
fortunate in obtaining a specimen of the native cormo-
rant (Phalacrocorax brasilianusj, a bird which had
hitherto been unrepresented in the Museum, and which
is but rarely procurable. It is of a prevailing shiny
black colour, with greenish reflections, having very short
legs, and a long rather thin bill, suddenly hooked at
the tip, where it" looks as though a small extra piece
had been added.

This was the last good specimen procured, for although
next morning (Thursday, April nth) we shot a young
specimen of the tree porcupine (Sphin^urus prehensilis)
before reaching Bartica Grove, it was so covered with
sores as to be altogether unfit for preservation.

The trip was at last over ! On the whole it was a very
successful one; for though several of the specimens that
I had expected to get, had not been procured, yet, on the

X2

164 TlMEHRI.

other hand, several were obtained that I had not ex-
pected. The real test to me, however, was that a large
collection of desirable specimens was added to the
Museum, a very large number of which had never pre-
viously been represented in it, and which were only
procurable on a long trip into the interior; together with
others which were needed to renew old and faded speci-
mens in the exhibited series.

Among the specimens collected, there were 20 dried
skins of Mammals with their skulls, referable to 1 1 species,
and 7 spirit specimens referable to 2 species ; of Birds,
there were 1 14 skins, referable to more than 70 species ;
of Reptiles, there were 3 dried skins, referable to 3
species, and 8 spirit specimens of 5 species ; of Batra-
chians, 8 spirit specimens of about 5 species ; of Fish,
there were 13 dried skins of 10 species, and 10 spirit
specimens of 6 species ; of Mollusca, more than 40
specimens of about 9 species ; and a miscellaneous collec-
tion of Insects, Arachnids, Myriapods and Crustaceans.
Besides these there were a few special Indian ethnolo-
gical specimens, and some plants.

During a short collecting trip, the specimens obtained
in each group bear no relation necessarily to those that
are to be found in the various localities ; and until a pro-
longed examination, rendered possible by long residence
in suitable localities, has been made for the various
groups, as has been, and is being, carried on by Mr.
Henry Whiteley for the class of Birds, so long must
our knowledge of our Fauna be considered incomplete
and unsatisfactory.

Occasional Notes.

[Owing to the press of other matter, the various items of Occasional
Notes are deferred ; and only those two or three special points are
referred to here that are called for in the present issue. — Ed.]

Identifications of Guiana Timber Trees. — In the last
issue of Timehri) page 386, a list of the identifications
of various timber trees of Guiana was given, having been
extracted from the Descriptive Catalogue of the Colonial
Museum, Haarlem, 1888.

In this catalogue, Wamara, Bannia or Brown Ebony is
classed under the one technical term of Swartzia tomen-
tosa (D.C.) ; while Washiba or Bow-wood (Man-letter-
hout) is referred to the Piratinera guianensis (Aubl.),
and Dakamaballi or Black greenheart to Vouacapoua
americana (Aubl.)

In a letter from Mr. MICHAEL McTURK, whose
familiarity with the timber trees of the colony is well-
known, he informs me that "Wamara and Bannia are
very distinct trees, not at all like one another ;" that
Washiba is not letter-wood, but is bow-wood, the two
kinds of letter-wood being Bouracouroo and Tibicusi,
the latter of which is often used for bows, though
Washiba is better ; and that Dakamaballi is not Black
greenheart, nor anything like greenheart.

From this it would appear that the collectors of the
specimens describedjn the Haarlem catalogue, wrongly
associated the names of Wamara and Bannia in the first

166 TlMEHRI.

case ; confounded the Tibicusi with Washiba in the
second instance, being misled by the term bow-wood
applied to each ; and misapplied the term Black green-
heart to Dakamaballi in the third case.

If Mr. McTurk would obtain specimens of the flowers,
fruits, and leaves of each kind of the trees confounded,
it would be an easy way of definitely settling the matter;
and he would be doing a service not only for the Haarlem
Museum, but for the colony and for science generally.

Additions to the Guiana Fauna. — In a small collection
of twenty-eight species of birds, recently forwarded to
London to be mounted for the Colonial Museum, and
which were most kindly determined for me by Dr.
SCLATER, F.R.S., the Secretary of the Zoological
Society of London, and the well-known ornithologist,
the following four species occur, which had hitherto
been unknown from the colony, and which are, therefore,
not recorded in the list of Birds of British Guiana,
lately published in the Ibis by Mr. O. SALVIN.
i. — Cathartes (Catharista) urubitinga.
2. — Querquedula cyanoptera.
3. — Erismatura dominica.
4. — Porzana flaviventris.
Of these, the first is a species of carrion crow ; the
second and third are ducks, and the fourth a crake.

Detailed description of these and the other members
of their genera or kind occurring in the colony, will
be given in a later issue.

Sea-anemones in Guiana. — In last issue of Timehri,
page 311, it was stated that no true-coral forming zoo-
phyte or sea-anemone had so far been met with on the
coasts of Guiana. I am glad, therefore, to be able to

Occasional Notes. 167

point out, through Mr. Rodway'S assistance, that,
though no such forms have been hitherto recorded from
the colony, yet two species of sea-anemones, of com-
paratively small size, certainly do occur here. Of these,
a detailed notice will be given later.

J. J- Q.

Reports of the Meetings of the Society.

Meeting held on ioth January. — G. H. Hawtayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 23 members present.
Elections. — Members: S. Coronel, Capt. Cartwright,

J. S. Irwin, Dr. A. Matthey, Dr. W. J. Von Winckler,

Joao Baptista and W. B. St. Aubyn.

Associates : C. W. Peppiette, Rev. S.

Manning, C. H. Wilkinson, S. H. Bayiey, Aloysius

DeWever and J. L. Theobald.
The President, in addressing the meeting, said that
their late President, Mr. Nind, had given them such an
interesting and valuable account of the progress of the
Society during the past year, that there was nothing left
for him to say with regard to the past, and it was very
difficult to say anything in anticipation of the future.
When the Treasurer presently read the financial state-
ment for the past year, he thought they would be able
to see that the Society was in a wholesome and sound
condition, but at the same time there were indications
that economy must be practised in the future. The sub-
scriptions were not so large as they had been, and
therefore they must curtail expenses to a certain extent,
but he hoped that the Directors would be able to do this
without impairing the efficiency of the Society. There
were several important matters to which it would be de-
sirable to give attention during the coming year, among
which were the fruit and gold industries. The Society
had reason to congratulate itself on the condition of the

Report of Society's Meetings. 169

Museum; he thought it had been a large factor in the
education of the people, and when they looked at the
large number of visitors and saw Mr. Quelch giving in-
struction to all classes of enquirers, they might say it
was a public institution of very great value. The Museum
is, however, neither large enough nor sufficiently con-
venient either for preparing or exhibiting specimens, and
he thought they might fairly ask the Government for
aid to extend it. One of the objects of the Society when
it was first started, was to keep up a correspondence
with similar institutions in different parts of the Empire;
this had been found difficult, and had been almost dis-
continued, but he thought the Society should again pay
attention to this matter. The Commercial Committee
promised to be of very great service, and if it should
ultimately develop into a Chamber of Commerce, the
Society would have the credit of having originated a
body of very great value. In conclusion he said that
he felt proud of the position in which their kindness
had placed him, and was not blind to its responsibilities,
and he hoped that the Society would not surfer in his
hands in 1889.

The Treasurer laid over the Financial Statement for
1888, Statements of the losses and gains in members,
Balance Sheet, &c. In laying over these papers Mr.
Conyers said that, with the present number of members,
the income of the Society for 1889 would be $2,876,
which together with the rents would make a total of
$5,360. He thought that the expenditure could be kept
down to $5,000 without detriment to the interests of the
Society. Several items in last year's expenditure would
not occur again. The Museum account was kept separate,

Y

1 70 TlMEHRI.

the amount received from Government being $4,500. It
would be impossible to extend the Museum from the
funds of the Society, and he agreed with the President
that, as it was really a public educational institution, the
Government might be asked for aid to that purpose.

Mr. Tinne proposed and Mr. Jacob Conrad seconded,
that the Treasurer's Accounts and Report be adopted,
which was carried unanimously.

Mr. Davis gave notice of the following motions: —

1. — Premium of $ioo to be given by the Society for the ereftion of
a kiln to dry Indian corn.

2 — §ioo to be put at the disposal of the Commercial Committee for
show cases to exhibit commercial products of the colony.

3. — Premium of $100 to the first person who shall export 1,000 bun-
ches of bananas or 20,000 oranges,

4.— $300 to be voted to the Agricultural Committee to establish a
system of immigration from the Azores and Madeira.

The Secretary reported that, at meetings of the respec-
tive Committees held on the previous Monday, the
following officers had been elected : —

Agricultural Committee. — R. J. Kelly, Chairman ;
Hon. B. H. Jones, Vice-Chairman ; George Garnett,
Hon. Secretary.

Commercial Committee. — J. E. Tinne, Chairman ; A.
Weber, Vice-Chairman ; W. Cunningham, Hon. Secretary.

Mr. Tinne stated, for the information of the meeting,
that the Commercial Committee had met that morning
when Mr. A. P. P. Mackey had been elected in the room
of Mr. Dare, who was leaving the colony. He would
like to know from the President whether the Society
would be likely to interfere with the Committee if it
should entrench on what might be considered, in a strict
sense, political matters?

Report of Society's Meetings.

171

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172 TlMEHRI.

The President in reply said he did not think they had
any need to fear repression, if they confined themselves
to subjects that were non-political in the right sense,
which would include what is known as Political Economy.
The Secretary read a letter from the Government
Secretary to the Commercial Committee, asking that
body for a report as to the advisability of a revision
of the Colonial Duties and Customs Ordinance.

The President said that this letter would serve as an
apswer to Mr. Tinne with regard to political questions.
The Society is responsible to Government with regard
to its constitution, and here was a case of what may be
called a political question referred to them by the
authorities. The letter was referred to the Committee.

The Secretary read the following letter from Dr. H.
A. A. Nicholls, Dominica, in answer to queries as to the
packing of fruits tor shipment: —

Sir, — I beg to acknowledge your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and I have
pleasure in supplying the information you desire in regard to export
trade in oranges and limes.

The fruit is picked from the trees in a green condition. That is, the
fruit must be fully formed, but not ripe. The best condition is just
before the colour turns from green to yellow. The greatest care pos-
sible must be exercised in the gathering, as thereon depends, to a great
extent, the success or not of the shipment. Special spring hand scis-
sors are made in the States for the cutting of the stalk of the fruit, for
it must not be pulled off the trees, but carefully cut from the bearing
branch, in order that no bruising may result. Long step ladders lightly
made tor portability, have been imported here from the United States
for the purpose of gathering oranges from the trees. They are known,
I believe, as fruit-gathering ladders. After the fruit is gathered it should
be carried carefully in shallow baskets to the store, and there allowed
to remain spread thinly on the floor, or on shelves, until it is perfectly
dry. It is then picked over, the bruised and inferior fruit rejected, and
the stalks cut close to their insertion in the fruit. The next thing is to
sort the fruit, for better prices will be gained in the rnarkets if the

Report of Society's Meetings. 173

oranges in each box or barrel are of uniform size. Each orange and
lime is then wrapped up in specially prepared coarse yellow paper, and
carefully placed in the box or barrel. The paper is 14 inches by 18
inches in size, and it costs 27 cents per ream in Dominica. It is im-
ported from the United States. I send by book-post a few sheets of the
paper in order that you may obtain the proper kind.

The boxes used for shipping oranges and limes measure about 2^
cubic feet. They will hold from 160 to 170 oranges, and from 700 to
800 limes. The two ends are made of solid wood, and a division
similar to the ends is placed in the centre, so that there are two com-
partments. The bottom, the top and the sides are open laths. The
boxes come out from the United States in separate pieces, and they are
put together in the island. They cost about 24 cents each when put
together ready for packing the fruit.

The barrels used for shipping fruit are the ordinary flour ones, but
holes are cut in the staves, and at the heads, for the purpose of ven-
tilating the fruit and keeping it cool. A barrel when properly packed
holds, on an average, about 350 oranges or from 1,400 to 1,600 limes.
The holes are cut roughly with a hatchet, and after a while a man may
become so expert in the work as to prepare a barrel in a very short space of
time. Five holes, or rather slits, are cut at the bilge, two inches wide and
eight inches long. The slits are made at the edge of the staves, or two
staves may be taken in, and this then will be less weakening to the
barrel. Four slits are then cut at each end, between the head and bilge
hoops— these are 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Thus there are five
8-inch slits and eight 3-inch ones — or thirteen altogether. In addition
to these, two holes, cut in the form of half moons, are made at each
end. (A rough sketch forwarded will show at a glance the exatt way in
which the holes were arranged.)

When barrels are prepared for limes, the slits are made only an inch
wide instead of two inches. The barrels in Dominica cost 30 cents each
when ready for the fruit.

It is found that the fruit reaches New York in a better condition
when packed in boxes, and considering the longer journey it would
have to undergo if shipped from British Guiana, it is doubtful whether
it is advisable to employ barrels or packages in your colony. I noticed
in the fruit markets in London, that maize husks are used in the pack-
ing of Sicilian lemons, each layer of fruit being kept apart by this
absorbent material. In an experimental shipment of oranges I made"
to London many years ago, I endeavoured to follow this system by

174 TlMEHRI.

using cane trash. It answered admirably, for the oranges got to Eng-
land in excellent condition. This experience may be useful to British
Guiana shippers, and perhaps a layer of cane trash between each tier
of oranges in a barrel, may enable that cheap package to be utilised in

Demerara.

H. A. Alford Nicholls.

Mr. Nind said that the letter was very valuable, and
that it should be printed and distributed to members.

The President said that as further information was
expected from Jamaica, it would be better to wait and
get the letters from both sources printed together.

On the motion of Mr. Drysdale, seconded by Mr. N.
D. Davis, a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to
Dr. Nicholls.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Jenman enclos-
ing a copy of a photograph of Dr. Richard Schomburgk.

It was suggested that an enlarged copy be made to be
placed in the Reading Room beside that of his brother.

Mr. Vyle exhibited several of the new telephones, and
explained the mechanism of the instruments. He also
showed some specimens of faulty connections lately
taken from the old wires, which tended to increase the
resistance to the current to an enormous degree. He
objected to the old wires being put in connection with the
new telephones, and spoke in favour of new copper wire,

Mr. Tinne said that Mr. Barr and himself had be^n
appointed by the Commercial Committee as a sub-com-
mittee on the Telephone Exchange, and, therefore, he
was very much pleased to hear Mr. Vyle's explanation ;
he then moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Vyle, which was
seconded by Mr. Conrad and carried.

The meeting then terminated.
♦— — •

Report of Society's Meetings. 175

Meeting held on the 21st February. — G. H. Haw-
tayne, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the
chair.

There were 19 members present.
Elections. — Members: Jas. W. Johnson, G. W. Rock-
cliffe, H. H. Cunningham, T. St. Felix Daly, W.
Cameron, John Cheong, Dr. C. Fisher, Wm. Crosby,
David Gibson, Wm. Chalmers, C. G. Perot, B. Chat-
terton, Henry Collier, and the Hon. C. B. King.

Associates : R. H. McBurnie, J. A. Coelho,

Augusto Fernandes, H. Bowen, Chas. Haynes, J.

F. Stow, C. O. Rainer, H. de Rune Barclay, A. M.

Abbott, Jas. Simpson, R. D. King, W. G. Smellie,

A. J. Collier, D. L. Hutchinson, J. Bratt, J. W.

Craig, J. W. de Wever, R. B. Garratt, W. F. Reeves,

Angus McKay, B. Bleau, and J. C. King.

The Secretary read the Report of the Librarian for

1888, which had been referred to the meeting by the

Board of Directors.

The President stated in reference to the suggestion as
to the admission of temporary visitors to the colony as
subscribers, that the Directors had come to the conclu-
sion that it was not desirable to lend books to mere
transient visitors, as there would be no certainty as to
the works being returned.

Mr. Vyle said that this might be made a source of
revenue, and a guarantee could be got from strangers.

Mr. Nind thought the Society was acting with suffi-
cient liberality in allowing strangers the use of the
Reading Rooms, and if books should be lent to them,
there might be mutilations which the Librarian would
not be able to identify or obtain compensation for dam-

176 TlMEHRI.

age or loss. He agreed with the Directors in their de-
cision and thought them wise in a6fcing as they had.

The Secretary read the Report of the Curator of the
Museum for 1888.

The President said that this Report had been consi-
dered at some length by the Directors, who were most
anxious to do all they could to assist Mr. Quelch in carry-
ing out his views. They had appointed a sub-committee
to consider the ways and means of executing his sugges-
tions. They did not consider it advisable to mix up the
Museum with a Pi6lure Gallery. It was important that
Mr. Quelch should be provided with a room in which he
could conveniently carry on his work, as he was seriously
hampered by the meagre accommodation he had at pre-
sent. The Committee hoped that with the assistance of
Messrs. Luke Hill and Conyers they would be able to
see what was best to be done.

Mr. Tinne mentioned that the Russell Memorial Com-
mittee were very uncertain as to the shape of the pro-
posed memorial ; and asked whether an extension of the
Museum would not be more suitable than a statue in
front of the Market ?

The President remarked that this would be very
appropriate, and Mr. Davis said that it could be called
the Russell Wing.

Mr. Tinne observed that the Government had promised
$5,000 towards the Russell Memorial, and many persons
who were willing to contribute had been enquiring
as to what the Committee were going to do. He
suggested that the Secretary of this Society should
write to the Memorial Committee to propose its co-
operation with the Society. This being unanimously

Report of Society's Meetings. 177

agreed to, the Secretary was directed to communi-
cate accordingly.

Mr. Nind moved that the Directors be empowered to
draw up plans and estimates for an extension of the
Museum, to be submitted to the Government, together
with the suggestion of Mr. Tinne that it should be made
the memorial of the iate Mr Wm. Russell.

On the motion of the President, Mr. G. H. Richter
was unanimously elected as their Exchange Room
Director, in place of Mr. C. Weiting, resigned.

The motion having been seconded by Mr. W. Cunning-
ham, it was carried unanimously.

The Secretary laid on the table a Statement of the
Accounts of the Museum and Buxton Exhibition up to
December 31st, 1888.

The Secretary read a letter from the Committee of
Correspondence in regard to the matter of cable com-
munication referred to that Committee, suggesting that it
should be referred to the Commercial Committee, which
was done accordingly.

The Secretary read the following report from the Com-
mercial Committee, giving a resume of the work done
during the two preceding months.

I have the honour to report that, since the last meeting of the Royal
Agricultural and Commercial Society, the Commercial Committee has
held six General and several sub-Committee meetings, and the follow-
ing is a resume of the business that has occupied its attention : —
/. — The Revision of the Ctistoms Tariff.

At the request of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor in a letter
dated 8th January, 1889, No. 8,875, the Committee was requested to
revise the existing Customs Tariff. In accordance with this request the
different items on the same were divided into classes, and Committees
were appointed to consider each. Their various reports have been sent in
and approved of by the General Committee, which has added a Compara-

Z

178 TlMEHRI.

tive Statement of the probable revenue to be derived from this source, as
compared with 1887 and 1888, and the whole has been compiled and
arranged in book form as per proof herewith submitted, and will be
ready in a day or two. The Committee recommends that the members
of the Combined Court be supplied each with a copy.
2. — The New Telephone Service.
This matter has been carefully considered, and His Excellency and
the Honourable Members of the Court of Policy informed of the Com-
mittee's views on this most particular subject.

3. — The Official Prices Current.
No. 3 of the Prices Current has now been issued, and a copy of each
herewith submitted for your approval.

4. — Marine Insurance.
The following question of Marine Insurance may be interesting to the
general public; the decision of your Committee is herewith appended.
A cargo of Coals is consigned to A and covered by Insurance. On
its arrival here a portion of the cargo is sold to B at so much per ton free
from alongside. B sends his lighters for the portion of coal which he
has purchased ; one of the lighters in going ashore with a load of coal
sinks, and the coal is lost. Query : Are the underwriters of A respon-
sible for the lost coal ?

After careful consideration the Committee was of opinion that the
underwriters of A were liable for the lost coal.

5. — The charge made by local Banks on Bills of Exchange sold by them.
In connection with this matter the following resolution was submitted
to the Government, viz :

" That in view of the local banks exacting stamps, on Bills of Ex-
change sold by them, from the buyers, contrary to the intention of the
Stamp Aft, the Government be requested to raise the licence on Bank-
ng establishments as per Tax Ordinance from $500 to $2,000 per
annum."

6. — The Tax on Insurance and Assurance Agencies.
It was proposed that a tax based on the percentage of the
premiums received (and calculated so as to raise an equal revenue) be
charged, instead of as at present taxing all Insurance and Assurance
Agencies the sum of $250 per annum, irrespective of the extent or
magnitude of their business.

7. — Marine Sub-Committee.
A Marine sub-Committee has been appointed, whose duties are to

Report of Society's Meetings. 179

consider all questions arising between Captains of vessels coming to
this Port and their Consignees.

8. — The Stamp Duties.

In connection with this subject the following resolution was carried
and forwarded to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and the
Honourable Members of the Court of Policy : —

" That this Committee recommends the abolition of the present
Stamp Tax on Bills of Exchange, Promissory Notes, Cheques, and
Receipts."

g. — The New Opium Ordinance.

The suggested additions to, and alterations in, the draft of the pro-
posed new Opium Ordinance are herewith attached, and copies of the
same have been forwarded to His Excellency and the Honourable
members of the Court of Policy to-day for their consideration and
approval.

In addition to the foregoing, your Committee has had under con-
sideration the present state of the Receiver General's department,
particularly the unnecessary and unaccountable delay experienced by
all parties who have occasion to pay in or receive monies. A change
in these matters is most urgently required.

The necessity of having the New Harbour Ordinance pushed through
without delay has also been pointed out.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM,

Hon. Secretary.

The President said that the report showed that the
Committee had been very industrious and energetic.

After some discussion, in the course of which Messrs.
Tinne and Julius Conrad hinted at objections to two of
the decisions of the Committee (sections 4 and 5), Mr.
Nind called attention to the fa6l that the Banks in this
colony were permitted to redeem their notes in silver,
which might give rise to great inconvenience and loss
under certain circumstances, and hoped the Commercial
Committee would use their influence to introduce a gold
standard. Major Walthall was glad to find that the
Committee had established a body co which questions be-
tween Masters of vessels and their consignees could be

Z2

/

l8o TlMEHRI.

referred, as he had experienced some difficulty in ob-
taining information as to the custom of the port in cer-
tain cases.

Mr. Tinne thought that the thanks of the Society
were due to Mr. Cunningham for the great trouble he
had taken with the revision of the Customs Tariff ; his
labours had been interminable in working out the details.

In answer to a question of Mr. Vyle, the President
informed the meeting that the Commercial Committee
could correspond with any of the other Committees, or
with the Government direct, without the delay of a pre-
vious reference to a meeting of the Society.

Mr. Davis brought forward the motions for premiums,
of which due notice had been given. After a lengthy
explanation with regard to No. 4, in the course of which
Mr. Davis said that he had learnt that the Planters' As-
sociation had taken the matter of immigration from
Madeira, &c, into their consideration some years ago,
but owing to the depression which came on afterwards
the matter had been allowed to drop, the motion was
withdrawn. No. 3 was also withdrawn for the present
on account of the probability of Government making
arrangements for a larger subsidy to the Banana trade
than that already voted. No. 2 having been found by
Mr. Davis to be provided for in connection with the
Museum in the bye-laws of the Society, was rendered
unnecessary. Mr. Davis then formally proposed his
motion, No. 1, with slight alterations as follows : —

That $50 be paid to the person who, during the year 1889, shall be
the first to build at any place within the colony, a Kiln for drying
Indian Corn, such sum of $50 to be paid on the award of the Commer-
cial Committee.

In making this motion Mr. Davis said, that there had

Report of Society's Meetings. 181

been an average importation annually during the last
three years of 20,000 bushels of corn of the value of
something like $16,000. This could be easily grown in
the colony, and if properly dried would be as good as, or
perhaps better than, the imported article.

Mr. Conyers seconded the motion, which was duly
carried after some discussion, in the course of which Mr.
DaCosta and Mr. Nind spoke of the difficulty of keeping
creole corn for more than a day or two on account of its
not being properly dried.

The Secretary read a letter from the Government Sec-
retary asking the Society for information as to
Agriculture, &c, for the more exact compiling of the
Blue Book for 1888. The matter was referred to the
Agricultural Committee.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. DaCosta referring
to specimens of Matches and Match-boxes exhibited to
the meeting, and made from two kinds of colony wood,
which had been found to be highly suitable for the pur-
pose. Samples, mounted on a card, of the various
stages of the manufacture, had been presented by Mr.
Da Costa for Exhibition in the Museum, by the desire of
the Curator.

The President thought that Mr. DaCosta deserved a
vote of thanks for creating this new local industry, which
vote was accorded unanimously.

The thanks of the Society were given to Mr. Wm.
Tebb for his donation of copies of " The Story of a
a great Delusion," and " The New Catholic Church."

The meeting then terminated.

l82 TlMEHRI.

Meeting held on the 21st March. — G. H. Hawtayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 1 1 members present.

Elections. — Members: Messrs. D. M. Hutson, A. W.
Oldfield, R. J. McGowan, F. C. Walrond, and Capt.
Porter,

Associate: Mr. F. Le Keux.

The President stated that Mr. Luke M. Hill, the Hon.
Secretary, was unable to attend on account of the in-
juries he had received in the late riots.

Mr. Davis thought they ought to express their sym-
pathy with Mr. Hill, and also their appreciation of his
services in the cause of order, in which the President
and meeting concurred.

The Assistant Secretary read the minutes of the pre-
vious monthly meeting, which were duly confirmed and
signed.

The President, on behalf of the Board of Diredtors,
stated that a sub-committee had been appointed in the
matter of the proposed extension of the Museum, who
had drawn up a petition to the Combined Court for a
grant of $12,000 for that obje6l.

Mr. Davis thought it would be a graceful a6l on the
part of the Dire6tors if, under present circumstances,
they withdrew the petition, as on account of the unfore-
seen demands on the colony it might be rejected.

It being the opinion of the meeting that it was desir-
able to obtain the views of the Combined Court on the
matter, it was allowed to stand.

The President read a letter from the Secretary of the
Committee of Correspondence, informing the meeting
that the proposed Exhibition at Buxton had been post-

Report of Society's Meetings. 183

poned until the early part of August next, on account of
the want of interest on the part of the classes concerned,
and the unfavourable weather for agricultural purposes.

The President read a letter from Mr. R. J. Kelly, Chair-
man of the Russell Memorial Committee, in answer to
the proposal of the Society that a new addition to the
Museum should be built and called the Russell Wing.
"The Committee were unanimously of opinion that they
could not deal with the suggestion, their final report in
favour of a Drinking Fountain having been submitted to
the Government and accepted."

The President read the following letter from the Sec-
retary of the Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Com-
merce in answer to enquiries as to the packing of fruits
for shipment: —

Dear Sir, — Some delay has occurred in obtaining the information
sought in your letter on the handling of Fruit for shipment.

I have been referred to a publication on Orange Culture in Florida ;
by Rev. T. W. Moore, New York, E. R. Pelton & Co., 25, Bond Street.

I have also been favoured, by a large and most trustworthy shipper,
with remarks, the result of practical experience, which for conve-
nience of reference, I annex on other leaf.

I trust that these may be of use, and intend, if I can learn anything
of Bananas, to address you again.

RICHD. HITCHINS.

Rules for Shipment of Oranges.

1st. They should be carefully hand-picked, not allowed to drop on
the ground which would injure the fruit.

2nd. They should be put on shelves in a drying room after being stem -
cut, and left for four days before being wrapped in paper, to dry, and
show rot, if any.

3rd. Each orange to bewrapped in paper.

4th. Pack in barrels or boxes, in layers, tightly,

In Jamaica, barrels are principally used for shipping oranges, but
boxes would answer much better, and I think would sell to better

184 TlMEHRI.

advantage, provided the fruit be put up in different sizes, in other words,
sampled.

Memo.— I am informed that the packages should have apertures for
ventilation — auger-holes or pieces of staves chipped out — and be kept
cool. R. H.

A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Hitchins, and the
information ordered to be printed, together with that of
Dr. Nicholls, Dominica, on the same subje6l, and distri-
buted to persons interested.

Mr. Nind exhibited a sugar bag made from leaves of
the screw pine (Pandanus) , which he thought could be
easily made in the colony very cheaply. It had been
made by a coolie that morning under his direction, and
he thought there would be no difficulty in procuring the
material or in the manufacture of a better article than
the specimen.

Mr. Nind received the thanks of the Society for a
copy of the pamphlet, " Vegetable Resources of the
West Indies."

The President read the following reports of the Com-
mercial Committee for the previous month: —

I have the honour to report for the information of the members of
the Society, that, since the last monthly meeting, the Commercial
Committee have held one Special, and four General meetings, and
the following is a resume* of the business that engaged the attention
of your Committee.

1st. Mr. G. Richter having been elefted a director of the Exchange
Room (in place of Mr. C. Wieting resigned) ex officio became a mem-
ber of this Committee.

2nd. The Importation of Dynamite, &c. — The following resolution
in connection with this matter was passed, and a copy of the same for-
warded to the Government : —

" That this Committee recommends to the Government the removal
of the present prohibition against the importation of Dynamite, Gun
Cotton, and Lithofrafteur."

Report of Society's Meetings. 185

3rd. The Polarization Question. — This important subjeft has had par-
ticular attention, and the following resolution has been forwarded to His
Excellency and the Honourable members of the Court of Policy, viz. : —

" That looking to the importance of accurate Polarization of Sugars,
dealt with in our trade with the United States and elsewhere, and the
advantage of having reliable tests at a fair yet moderate cost, this
Committee recommends to the Government to establish a class of
Sworn Licensed Polarizers, somewhat on the lines of the Weighers
and Gaugers, and that a sum not exceeding $1.20 be the charge for
each test, with a certificate thereof."

4th. Clerical assistance for the Commercial Committee. — The follow-
ing resolution for paid clerical assistance was forwarded to the Hon.
Secretary of this Society, and refused by the Directors . —

" That paid clerical assistance to the extent of $40 per month be
voted from the funds of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial
Society of British Guiana to this Committee."

5th. The Tax Ordinance No. 6 of 1888. — In connection with this,
the following questions have arisen : —

(i.) What is the meaning of the words (in Tax Ordinance No. 6 of
1888, seftion 38) "drawn or expressed?'' Is the " expressed" explana-
tory of " drawn ?"

(ii.) If so, should stamps be affixed to Bills of Exchange not pay-
able or negotiable in the colony ?

After careful consideration, and a good amount of discussion, the
following resolution was forwarded to the Government : —

" That in the opinion of this Committee (on reference to the Colonial
Taxes Ordinance No. 6 of 1888, section 38) Bills of Exchange drawn
within the colony but not negotiated therein, are not liable for Stamp
duty."

6th Vote of thanks to the Hon. John Macdonald, of Toronto,
Canada —

" That this Committee begs to thank the Hon. John Macdonald, of
Toronto, Canada, for his efforts to promote a more friendly feeling
and to establish closer business relations with this colony and Canada.'

7th. The Banana Question. — Herewith attached are Capt. White's
replies to the various questions of this Committee anent this important
question ; and the following is the consensus of opinion collated from
the different correspondents who have replied to the circulars issued
by this Committee: —

AA

l86 TlMEHRI.

i. That Bananas are usually planted 12 feet apart, 300 plants to an
acre.

2. That they take on an average 12 months to mature.

3. That the loss from various causes is about 20 per cent.

4. Not more than 60 per cent, bear 8 hands and over, 40 per cent,
under 8 hands.

5. Bananas mature at all seasons of the year.

6. That the average cost, taking 5 years, is from $40 to $45 per acre.

7. Transportation and Freight from 1 cent to 2 cents per bunch,
Demerara River, but by Rail or Steamer from 4 to 5 cents per bunch.

8. Bananas would pay all round, large or small bunches, at 25 cents
per bunch.

9. Bananas would keep from 8 to 10 days ; but no actual experi-
ments were quoted by any of the correspondents.

After considerable discussion the following resolutions were carried : —

" That it is the opinion of this Committee that Bananas cannot be
profitably grown at the prices offered by Mr. Rogers."

" That the minimum price fixed by any contract should be equal
to the cost of production, plus amount of subsidy paid."

In addition to these matters, your Committee have considered the
present arrangements of the departure of the Royal Mail Steamers,
have issued the usual Prices Current, and, in connection with the
recent disturbances in this city, waited upon His Excellency and
pointed out the great loss the Mercantile community has sustained,
urging prompt and immediate action in suppressing the same.

The question of forming a Chamber of Commerce has been brought
up and will be reported on in our next.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM,

Hon. Secretary.

Captain White's Replies.*

1. The plants should be 8 feet apart, and there will be 400 to the acre,
but if 12 feet apart, two suckers can be planted in each hole. This will
give over 400 plants ; and most people favour this way of planting, it
being specially adapted both to our soil and climate.

2. 11 to 12 months.

* The answers to most of these questions are framed from information
received from Farmers and Planters in the last two years.

Report of Society's Meetings. 187

3. Not over 5 per cent., as Banana plants have good strong roots,
and we are not troubled here with high winds as in other places.

4. If the plants are properly cultivated and well cared for, 75 percent,
will be full 8-hands, the other 25 per cent, will run from 7 to 5 hands.

5. In this climate, yes.

6. Not over $40.00 per acre ; and after the empolderinganddrainag
is done, 830 is the outside cost.

7. This depends entirely on where the Bananas are grown. There is
no doubt that the river lands will be the favourite places, and as our
rivers are navigable for so many miles, the steamers would run up
alongside of the plantations. This is a facility that no other part of the
Banana growing world has, and hence our fruit could be shipped with
small expense and very little handling.

8. Owing to our facilities for shipping all along the river, it should
not cost over 2 cents per bunch.

9. As the steamers could steam along the river and stop in front of
the plantations, there would be no trouble of shipping direct from the
farms, and should the business grow to any great extent, the large
plantations would no doubt run out jetties for the steamers to lay along-
side ; in this case bateaux from the smaller farms would come alongside ■

10. I have seen Bananas landed from steamers both in Baltimore and
New York, after being on board six days, in excellent condition — in
faft not yet ripe, and those were by transient steamers that were not
fitted up expressly for the trade.

11. I do not know how many bunches Jamaica ships per annum, but
this I do know, that the third year after the subsidy was granted, Jamaica
received .£193,000 sterling for her fruit alone, and last year she received
^225,900 sterling. This money is brought by the steamers in cash and
distributed all round the Island.

12. The Port of Savannah being 1,892 miles, the steamers purposed
for this route, they being 16 knots boats, will cover the distance in a little
less than 5 days, and I would here mention that the authorities of the
Savannah and Georgia Railroad running through to the West have
offered Mr. Rogers every facility for the transportation of the fruit.
This carries our fruit direct to the Western States where few Bananas
have yet gone.

13. The very fa6t of Mr. Rogers going to the expense of bringing
200,000 plants to the colony and distributing them gratis to the Farmers
and Planters at a cost for the plants alone of S6,ooo.oo, and then waiting
12 months and returning to the colony to purchase the fruit and

AA 2

l88 TlMEHRI.

receiving no part of the subsidy until he has run, bought and carried
the fruit for twelve months, I think is sufficient guarantee that he
will put on not only the fastest steamers, but ships thoroughly adapted
tor the preservation of the fruit.

14. The quality of the bunches would speak for themselves and no
other arrangements are needed.

15 and 16. It would be possible to charter a steamer for one year, but
certainly Mr. Rogers would not undertake any such experiment, even
though guaranteed by the Government against loss. Admitting for
argument's sake that Mr. Rogers would do so, the people here would
have no faith in it, and would not invest their means in the cultivation
of this fruit just for an experiment. Then how could the fruit be obtained ?
The Company no doubt could be formed here under a Government
guarantee, but the people would have no faith in it, and when it is
considered that the entire fruit business in the United States is in the
hands of rich syndicates, how is it proposed to sell the fruits? This I
consider is quite impracticable.

E. T. White.
In reference to the Committee forming a Chamber of
Commerce, Mr. Nind expressed his opinion that it would
be a good thing, as at present it held a rather anomalous
position.

In the matter of the proposal to allow the importation
of dynamite, &c, Mr. Davis said that these explosives
were necessary to the proper working of gold mines,
and its storage and sale could be properly regulated to
prevent misuse.

Major Walthall was glad to find that the Committee
was doing something towards arbitrating in matters of
mercantile marine.

Mr. Julius Conrad approved of the action of the
Directors in refusing a grant for clerical assistance to
the Committee, as they would the sooner have to form a
Chamber of Commerce, the scope and influence of which
would be so much greater.

Mr. Cunningham informed the meeting that the Com-

Report of Society's Meetings. 189

mittee had appointed a Marine Sub-Committee, and stated
that in the matter of underwriters' liability for loss of
coals, referred to in last month's report, the decision of
the English authorities had been contrary to that of the
Commercial Committee.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on the 18th April. — D. C. Cameron,
Esq., Vice-President, in the chair.

There were 17 members present.
Elections. — Members : Rev. A. H. Leslie, Hon. J. W.
Carrington, Hon. C. L. Bascom, Mr. Chas. Robert-
son, and Rev. J. E. Peel.

Associates : M. L. Da Costa, Thos.
Dalgleish, A. Pinedo, R. M. Jones, R. Mcintosh,
R. W. Hubbard, Jun., and McDonald Hurley.
The Secretary reported that in the absence of the
President he had been requested to inform the meeting
that Mrs. Matilda Williams had presented the Society
with the handsome donation of £50. Her late husband,
Mr. Thomas Williams, had possessed some estates in
Berbice, which devolved to the administration of Mr
Hawtayne's office, and gave a great deal of trouble. They
were eventually sold, and Mrs. Williams was disposed to
give part of the proceeds to some public object in the
colony. Having been informed that funds were required
for the extension of our Museum, that lady had gener-
ously forwarded the amount for this obje6l. It was
proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Mr. R. P.
Drysdale, that a cordial vote of thanks be given to Mrs.
Williams for her handsome donation. This was unani-
mously carried, and the Secretary was directed to forward
the thanks of the Society to that lady.

190

TlMEHRl.

Mr. Quelch stated that Mr. George Garnett had pro-
mised to present a wall case to the Museum provided
some other promises could be obtained.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Garnett in the name of
the Society.

The Secretary read the following Report from the Agri-
cultural Committee in answer to the request of the Govern-
ment for Agricultural Statistics for the Blue Book : —

Average Rate of Wages for Labour in Town and Country.

Per Annum. Per Day.

Domestics — Males (Paid monthly)... ^20 to ^30 —

Females ,, ... ^10 to ,£20 —

Tradesmen — Carpenters ... — ... 2/6 to 3/

Masons — ... 2/6 to 3/4

Smiths — ... 3/- to 3/4

Coopers ... ... — ... 3/6 to 4/-

Boatbuilders — .. 4/- to 5/-

Remarks. — The above are Country rates ; in Town the rates are gene-
rally 20 °/b to 25 °/o higher.

Average Rate
Praedial —

Cane-cutters

Shovelmen

Weeders

Suppliers ...

Puntmen
Manufacture —

Cane-throwers *

Boilermen ...

Firemen

Sugar -curers

Boxmen

Megass-carriers

of Wages for Labour on Sugar Estates.

Per Day.

.. 2/- to 4/

. i/- to 2/
. iod. to 1/4

.. 1/6 to 2/6
.. 1/4 to 2/-

.. 1/- to 1/4

.. 1/6 to 2/-

.. 1/6 to 2/6

.. 2/- to 3/-

.. 1/8 to 2/-

.. 1/2 to 1/4

Manufacture Per Day

Clarifiers, Headmen 3/- to 3/6
Do. other than Do. 1/4 to 1/8
Distillers (includ-
ing Headmen) ... 1/4 to 4/2
Others about the
Buildings 8d to 1/6

Tradesmen —
Engineersf
Carpenters!
Masonsf
Coopers I .

2/8 to 4/2
2/8 to 3/-
2/8 to 3/4
3/- to 4/-

Mostly done by Coolies. f Headmen generally paid monthly.
% Generally paid by task.

Report of Society's Meetings. 191

Remarks. — As a rule a good strong black man can earn 50 °/0 more
at cane-cutting than an ordinary coolie, one of the reasons being that
his cutlass is always in better order.

Improvements in Agriculture and Manufactures.

The Manufacture of Sugar. — During the year 1888 considerable im-
provements in Sugar Machinery were instituted, principally in the
direction of evaporating appliances. Two quadruples and two triples
of the Yaryan type, the Rillieux system and combined multiple effets
and pans, and several multiple effets of the ordinary triple were erefted
and worked with more or less success. But perhaps the greatest ad-
vance of the year consisted in the establishment on a sound basis of the
diffusion process for the extraction of sugar from the cane, the many
difficulties which had cropped up from time to time in its adoption
having been successfully overcome. In connection with the above,
general improvements in the direction of arrangement of buildings and
economy of fuel and labour were largely carried out. The bulk of the
sugar made was for the American market, but where yellow crystals
were made, the use of phosphoric acid in clarification was largely and
successfully extended.

GEORGE GARNETT,

Hon. Secretary.

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded bv Mr.
Davis, and duly carried, that the Report be forwarded to
the Government.

Mr. Quelch gave a short account of his late trip up
the Essequebo and Potaro, to the Kaieteur Falls, reserv-
ing fuller details for publication in Timchri.

Mr. Davis asked the Secretary if he had received any
enquiries as to the premium for the corn kiln, to which
Mr. Hill replied that he had been asked privately for
information by a person who thought of erecting such a
kiln up the Demerara River.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Cunningham
excusing himself from forwarding the usual report of the

ig2 TlMEHRI.

Commercial Committee, on account of a press of other
work.

The thanks of the Society were presented for the
following donations from Mr. G. C. Wyatt : — i vol.,
Kolb's "Condition of Nations;" 2 Railway Maps, Great
Britain and Ireland.

Captain E. T. White called attention to what he con-
sidered a misleading sentence in the last Report of the
Commercial Committee as published by the newspapers.
The statement was made that, "herewith attached are
Captain White's replies to the various questions," these
replies not being attached or published, but other quite
different answers which might be considered, on a
casual examination, to be his.

On examination of the minutes of the previous meet-
ing it was found that Captain White's replies had not
been annexed to the Report ; but an entirely different
document. Mr. Cunningham, the Secretary of the Com-
mercial Committee, explained the inadvertency, and it
was ordered that the replies of Captain White should be
published in Timehri together with the Report.

Mr. Cunningham informed the meeting that the draft
articles and bye-laws of the proposed Chamber of Com-
merce were printed and under consideration.

The Chairman said there was no doubt that a Chamber
of Commerce was desirable. The principal difficulty
was in the matter of subscriptions. The Commercial
Committee, as an offshoot of the Society, had done a
great deal of work, and he hoped that if changes were
made they would be for the better, as it was certain that
some such body was necessary.

The meeting then terminated.

Report of Society's Meetings. 193

Meeting held on 16 th May. — G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.G.,
C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were n members present.

Elections. — Members: G. V. Hughes, W. B. Kerr,
and M. H. Simpson.

Associate: Peter de Wever.

The Treasurer laid over the annual list of members
who had not paid their subscriptions. Notices had been
duly sent to them, and as no answers had been received,
there was nothing left to be done except to strike their
names from the list of members.

The President on behalf of the Board of Directors
reported that Mr. Quelch, the Curator of the Museum,
had applied for leave of absence. Three months' leave had
been granted, with permission to apply for an extension.

The Secretary read a Report of the Commercial Com-
mittee as follows, which was duly taken for considera-
tion : —

I have the honour to report to the Society that the Commercial
Committee have held five general meetings, and herewith 1 submit a
resume of the business that has occupied your Committee's attention.

ist. "Cable Communication." — Mr. Vyle's paper on this subject, in
the June issue of Timehri (1888), was (in accordance with the request
of the Committee of Correspondence) taken up and discussed, and
two letters from the Agent in this colony of the West India and Panama
Telegraph Company on this matter, were brought before this Committee.

For general information it may be stated that Mr. Vyle advocates
a direft Cable between Demerara and St. Vincent, Cape de Verdes,
connecting with the duplicate lines from Great Britain to Pernambuco,
now existing. The distance from British Guiana to Cape de Verdes is
about 2,000 knots, and the cost of laying the cable would be about
^250,000 sterling. It is estimated that were this carried out, the cost
per word of messages would be about 7/6, a gr,eat difference from our
present rates, and telegraphically we should be as near London as we
are to Suddie.

B B

194 TlMEHRI.

The West Indian and Panama Company undertake to lay a new
Cable between this colony and Trinidad and maintain the old one, for
a payment of ^1,500 sterling per annum for 10 years, in addition to
the present subsidy of ^4,500 sterling.

After various other suggestions and considerable discussion the
resolution was carried {S for, 1 against, and 4 members declining to
vote), viz. : —

" That this Committee suggest to the Government the desirability
of communicating with the Imperial Government as to the laying of a
Cable through British territory from England to British Guiana."

3rd. " Lloyd's letter anent ' Surveys' and fees chargeable for same."

A Committee was appointed to go into the matter and their report
has not as yet been sent in.

3rd. " The British Guiana incorporated Chamber of Commerce.''

Herewith I forward the draft Memorandum and Articles of Associa-
tion and Bye-laws, of which up to page 5 has been corrected by your
Committee. The book has been sent in to shew the lines on which
the proposed Chamber of Commerce intends to work.

4th. The Hon. Mr. Tinne having left the colony, the Hon. Alex.
Barr was unanimously elefted Chairman of this Committee.

5th. Messrs. John S. Hill, George Garnett, W. H. Sherlock and A.
Summerson, have replaced Messrs. W. W. Birch, M. Garnett, E. Tinne,
and T. H. Glennie, who have left the colony.

6th. " The Polarization question."

Attached is the copy of the Minute by the Government Analytical
Chemist anent this subjeft, and a copy of your Committee's reply to
the same. This deserves special attention at your hands.

7th. " Change of Meetings."

The weekly meetings had, on account of the departure of the Royal
Mail Steamer (recently on Saturday mornings), to be changed to fort-
nightly meetings.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM,

Hon. Secretary.

Minute by Government Analytical Chemist.

As an Analyst I, of course, consider the interests of my profession to

be of paramount importance, and, as the polarization of sugar samples

falls within the legitimate praftice of an Analyst, I view the proposals

of the Commercial Committee of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial

Report of Society's Meetings. 195

Society to establish a class of licensed Polarizers with as much dis-
favour as would a Surgeon, for instance, the establishing of a class of
"bone-setters," or as the members of any other profession would the
licensing of any similar kind of interlopers.

As a Government servant I am of opinion that the matter is not of
sufficient importance to be made the subject of legislation. From an
experience of several years, I estimate that the number of samples
required to be polarized annually for business purposes in the colony
does not exceed one thousand, and it seems hardly worth while to
create a class of specialists to share the thousand dollars or so that
would result from the performance of the work at the reduced fee.

Granting, however, that the matter is worth legislating upon, the
Government would have, I think, great difficulty in giving effect to the
Commercial Committee's resolution. Many persons are unable to read
a polariscope correctly owing to defective sight, therefore, before
granting a licence it would be necessary to ascertain th?t the applicant
was fit to do the work, and examiners would have to be appointed for
that purpose. But a professional polarizer should not only be able to
do the necessary manipulations, and read his instrument, but should be
able to assure himself that his readings are right. Few polariscopes of
the kind used in the colony are quite correct, and many are largely in
error ; of two instruments now in the Government Laboratory one gives
readings T33 and the other -^ of a per cent, too low at the 96th division
or standard for sugar shipped to the American Market. All the other
apparatus used in polarizing — scales, weights, measuring flasks and
polariscope tubes— may be, and frequently is incorrect, especially the
flasks and tubes. In my Annual Report for 1886 I showed that one of
the measuring flasks that I examined, amongst a number of others, all
incorrect, was so badly graduated that it would cause an error of T7<j of
a per cent, in the testing of a sample of sugar. This large error was
simply caused by the flask holding 5 fluid grains of water more than it
should have done. Polariscope tubes should be exactly 200 millimetres
long, but they also are frequently inexact and a single millimetre or ^T
of an inch excess or deficiency causes an error of a half of one
per cent.

All the amateur polarizations in this colony are done without regard
to these points- the accuracy of the apparatus being taken for granted
— and if they happen to turn out right it is merely by accident. In
establishing professional polarizers it would be necessary, therefore,

B B 2

196 TlMEHRl.

either to provide for the standardizing of the instrument or to issue
such instructions as would enable the polarizers to do it themselves. I
fear, however, that the latter would be beyond the capacity of those
likely to engage in the work. The most difficult of the operations
would be standardizing the polariscope. The only reliable way of doing
this is by means of pure sugar. This cannot be bought ; it must be
specially prepared by a tedious process, and be subsequently analysed
to determine that it is pure.

For the results of the licensed polarizers to be of equal value, the
polarizations would have to be conducted in a uniform manner. The
particular kind of balance, polariscope, filtering apparatus, and general
treatment of the samples would have to be denned and strictly
adhered to. The polarization of ordinary refining crystals might then
no doubt be carried out satisfactorily. But it unfortunately happens
every now and then that samples, particularly of molasses, and molasses
sugar, are received, for which the usual treatment does not suffice, and
which often tax to the utmost the skill and experience of the Analyst.
Over such samples the mere mechanical Polarizer would assuredly
come to grief. To support my statements, I forward Landolt's hand-
book to the Polariscope— the standard work on the subject — directing
attention to page 155 and the following ones, which treat of optical
saccharimetry.

E. E. H. FRANCIS.

27th March, 1889.

Reply of Commercial Committee.

In reply the Committee desire me to point out to His Excellency
and the Honourable members of the Court of Policy: —

1st. The Polarization of Sugar is not a professional chemical
process, but simply a mechanical one, requiring in the first instance
a correct instrument and appliances ; in the second, a careful manipula-
tion of the exact quantities of Sugar and Water necessary, and correct
eyesight.

2nd. Sugar has been correctly polarized by other than Analytical
Chemists, and is daily so done. The only reason why, heretofore, the
Government Chemist has been employed, is because in the absence of
Sworn Polarizers, his position has been acceptable to both buyer and
seller, but the high rate charged by him makes it desirable that men
who are acceptable to both parties, and who are willing to Polarize at

Report of Society's Meetings. 197

iower rates, should be appointed. In the United States each sample of
Sugar is polarized by two men whose mean result is taken as the
basis of settlement, and the charge for each sample is only 60 cents.

3rd. The question as to the annual amount derived from Polariza_
tion Fees does not concern this committee. Many more samples would
be polarized if the fee was reduced, and Polarizers of Sugar might be
men who have other means of subsistence.

4th. The Government Analytical Chemist might well be called in
where the teaching of Polarization was required, together with the
testing of instruments, and the granting of certificates to qualified per-
sons to polarize Sugar — for all of which he may be allowed to charge
a fee.

5th. As a matter of fa£t, Polarizers differ considerably in their tests,
and the Government Chemist has been no exception to the rule. Cir-
cumstances, such as weather, affedt Sugar, and samples from the same
cargoes taken in dry weather, varied considerably when tested during
heavy rains.

6th. It cannot but be expe&ed that the appointment of Sworn
Polarizers, equally acceptable to buyer and seller, will reduce to a
large extent, the present income of the Government Chemist, received
for private (professional ?) work, such as the Polarization of Sugar,
and naturally he is against the representations of this Committee as
to the necessity of such appointments.

WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM,
Hon. Secretary.

The President reported having received two further
donations towards the extension of the Museum and its
fittings, viz.: -Mr. John McConnell, £$0; Mr. Stewart
Gardner, $100.

The thanks of the Society were heartily accorded for
these donations, and the Secretary directed to communi-
cate the same to these gentlemen.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. S. Da Costa
asking for information as to the construction of a corn
kiln, for which the Society offers the premium, also
another letter from Mr. A. Shanks to the same effect:.

I98 TlMEHRI.

Mr. Luke Hill said that he had sent a sketch which he
had made to Mr. Shanks.

The President asked Major Walthall whether he could
procure the required information for the Society through
the United States Minister of Agriculture, to which the
Major replied that he would write to that official.

Mr. Coronel gave notice of motion as follows: —

That the Society ask the Government to establish the Government
Laboratory on such a footing that any person may obtain an analysis
of food, of a qualitative kind, for a small fee (say 48 cents), in the same
manner as is done in the neighbouring French colonies.

Mr. Coronel asked that the Book Committee should
make provision for French readers as well as English,
by ordering for the Library a selection of the best
authors. The Chairman intimated that Mr. Coronel was
at liberty to propose what French books he thought
suitable, when he had no doubt the Book Committee
would take the recommendation in the same manner as
is usually done.

Major Walthall asked whether ladies were eligible for
membership of the Society, and, if not, whether there
were any rules that excluded them. He wanted the
information for a lady, and being a new member he was
not fully acquainted with the rules of the Society.

The Secretary replied that ladies were allowed the
use of the Library as subscribers, but were not permitted
the privileges of full members. As a matter of cour-
tesy they were allowed the use of the Reading Room.

Mr. Davis did not think that there were any rules
that amounted to a prohibition; and Mr. Garnett could
not see anything in the laws as to whether members
should be male or female.

The President said that it might be inferred from the

Report of Society's Meetings. 199

bye-laws, chap, v., art. 16, that it was not intended to
admit ladies as members, but if Major Walthall wished
an expression of opinion, he might give notice of a
motion to the proper effect.

Major Walthall said there were two objections to his
making a motion, first, to do so would imply that ladies
were not eligible, which does not appear proven, and
second, he was not sufficiently experienced as a member
to carry the matter through.

Mr. Davis informed the Society that he had heard that
two of our staple products were likely to be more en-
quired for in the home markets, rum being lately recom-
mended by doctors in place of whisky, and cane sugar
having been found much superior to beet for the pre-
paration of chocolate.

The President exhibited some specimens of Carib
pottery, and minerals forwarded to him from the Grena-
dines, to be presented to the Museum.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on 13th June. — G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.G.,
C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 1 1 members present.
Elections. — Members: Messrs. W. H. Woodroffe and
J. C. Forbes.

Associates: Messrs. F. P. Rogers, C.

Francis, H. W. Hunter, and Oscar W. Weber.

Mr. Coronel brought forward his motion, of which due

notice had been given, that the Society recommend to

the Government, that the Government Chemist should

analyse food for any person, on payment of a small fee.

200 TlMEHRI.

In introducing the motion Mr. Coronel stated that there
had been a feeling among the black people since the
riots, that the Portuguese were selling food that was not
wholesome. He did not think the shopkeepers were to
blame, but if an analysis could be easily obtained the
matter might be settled to the satisfaction of both buyer
and seller. The adulteration law in this colony had be-
come a dead letter, as it had never been brought into
operation.

Archdeacon Austin seconded the motion for the sake
of discussion. He said that water had been carefully
examined, and it would be a pity if the food question
should be left untouched.

Mr. Luke M. Hill said that the Adulteration A6t had
not been carried out from there being no Government
Analyst. The Government Chemist charged $10 for an
analysis to the outside public, but there was a special
provision by which a sample of any suspected substance
might be delivered to a police or sanitary officer, who
would procure an analysis free of any expense. If any
person, therefore, wished to have a sample examined, all
that he had to do was to take it to one of these officers.

Mr. Coronel thought this formality was too trouble-
some. A person might like to have an analysis, even
when there was no cause for suspicion, so as to satisfy
himself.

The Chairman deprecated any troublesome interference
with business, which might occur from a Government
official going into shops to take away samples. The
general principle was that the buyer should look after
his own interests.

Archdeacon Austin, with consent of Mr. Coronel, then

Report of Society's Meetings. 201

proposed that the matter be referred to the Commercial
Committee, which was agreed to unanimously.

The thanks of the Society were presented for the
following donations: — Mr. Luke M. Hill, 12 vols. Pro-
ceedings of the Institute of Civil Engineers; Mr. G. H.
Hawtayne, " Some Squeezings from Ancient Monuments
in the British Museum."

In presenting the latter donation, Mr. Hawtayne said
that he had applied to the British Museum authorities
for these Squeezings in anticipation of a lecture on
" Books" to be given in a few weeks. They were interest-
ing examples of Egyptian, Assyrian, Phoenician, Himy-
aritic or Sabaean, and Hittite writing and hieroglyphics,
and, opportunities of seeing the originals being wanting,
they were a very good substitute.

The Chairman introduced Mr. Gieffers, a gentleman
who had had some experience in a large starch manufac-
tory in Ecuador, and who wished to establish a similar
industry in this colony. On the table were shown a
number of samples of different qualities of cassava
starch, flake and pearl tapioca, arrowroot, &c. Mr.
Hawtayne explained the process of manufacture, which
involved improvements in the product and reduction in
cost by means of machinery.

The matter was referred to the consideration of the
Agricultural Committee.

An enlarged photograph of Dr. Richard Schomburgk
was exhibited ; it had been procured by the Secretary as
a companion portrait to those of Sir Robert Schomburgk
now in the Reading Room.

Mr. Quelch exhibited several specimens and explained
the structure and general condition of the rattle as met

CC

2o:

TlMEHRI.

with commonly in the rattlesnake, and showed that the
popular notion that the number of divisions in the rattle
corresponded to the age of the snake, was erroneous.

The President in thanking the Curator of the Museum
for his information, informed the meeting that the Zoo-
logical Society of London had elected Mr. Quelch a
Corresponding Member of their Society, and he had no
doubt the meeting would be glad to congratulate Mr.
Quelch on rhe honour.

The meeting then terminated.

Notices of Lectures delivered before the Society
under the Popular Science Series.

[Detailed Reports of these Ledtures, where obtainable, have already
appeared in the daily papers. — Ed.]

g.— " music.''

Delivered on Tuesday, January 22nd, by the Rev. Canon Castell.

HE lecturer gave a rapid sketch of the musical
element of speech, and of the development
of the art and science of music, tracing its
necessarily close connection with poetry and poetic ex-
pression. The chief methods of musical expression,
characteristic of various races, were touched upon, and
the special adaptation of music to religious services
generally in past and present times was pointed out,
special insistence being made of its value as an adjunct
to Christian worship. The various forms of musical in-
struments were then historically treated, and a brief
reference made to the immortal names of the great com-
posers, who had placed music on the high pedestal it
now occupied.

The leclure was interspersed throughout with selec-
tions of classic, operatic, sacred and ballad music,
vocal and instrumental, to illustrate special points
advanced at various parts of the subjecl*

CC2

204 TlMEHRI.

IO. — "HIAWATHA: FROM AN ETHNOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW."

Delivered on Monday, February 18th, by E. F. im Thurn, M.A., Special
Magistrate of the Pomeroon River.

The lecturer dealt with the legendary substance ot the
poem, pointing out its special interest to the ethnologist,
more particularly in relation to the natives of Guiana,
who were a primitive folk, not only closely akin to the
characters depi6ted in the poem, but one in much the
same stage of civilisation. The historical Hiawatha was
then described, and his personality discriminated from
the Ojibway hero represented under his name by the
poet. The primitive materialism, and its correlated
customs among the aboriginal races of the world gene-
rally, were touched upon ; and the unusually close
relation existing between the aboriginal American races,
in their modes of life, habits or customs, beliefs, actions,
and records, was pointed out, numerous passages being
quoted from the poem in illustration of special points of
agreement between the North American races and the
Aborigines of Guiana, which were compared.

II. — "METAMORPHOSES OF MATTER."

Delivered on Monday, March 18th, by E. E. H. Francis, F.C.S.,

Government Analytical Chemist.

The lecturer, who, in a former lecture on the same sub-
ject, had dealt with chemical changes of matter in
relation to analysis, now proceeded to describe some of
the various chemical changes in relation to inorganic
and organic synthesis. Reference was made to Wohler's
conversion of the cyanate of Ammonium into Urea in

Popular Science Lectures. 205

1828, and to the artificial production of acetic acid in
1845 °y KOLBE and MELSENS, and to the formation of
marsh gas by MELSENS in the following year. Marsh
gas was shown to be the first of the paraffins, a class of
bodies of which endless derivatives are known, and with
which the sugars, including sucrose, are intimately con-
nected. The important discovery in organic synthesis,
made in 1859 by the famous French chemist Berthelot,
was referred to, in which the direct union of hydrogen and
carbon was caused to form acetylene, which itself was
easily converted into benzene, from which a large number
of the compounds of the aromatic series of bodies can be
obtained. The importance of these syntheses was shown
by the fact that nearly all organic compounds can be
grouped either as paraffin or benzene derivatives. It
was pointed out that the artificial preparation of the
albuminous substances had not been accomplished, and
that their constitution was but little understood. It was
to be expected, however, that their preparation would
soon be accomplished, when it was probable that the
production of the living principle would also be brought
about.

The leclure zvas illustrated by a large series of
experiments.

12. — "ORNAMENT IN ART."

Delivered on Wednesday, April 24th, by the Revd. Ignatius Scoles, V.G.

The lecturer began by defining the nature of orna-
ment— distinguishing it from colour — and shewing that
it is the result of the natural instinct or innate desire of
man to find for himself forms of beauty in imitation of

206 TlMEHRI.

the works of nature. Its early expression under the
form of the tattooing and the painting of the body
was pointed out ; and its rapid development traced under
the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans, among
whom its most typical forms were derived from the con-
ventionalizing of special flowers, leaves, and other ob-
jects, such as the lotus, papyrus, acanthus and honey-
suckle, etc. The characteristic features of ancient and
mediaeval art were referred to, with special mention of
their peculiar forms, such as the Roman semi-circular arch,
the pointed Gothic arch, and the Italian cupola. The
principles to which all perfect ornamental art should be
subject were then discussed, and its aim at an idealiza-
tion of nature stated, special reference being made to
the congruity which should prevail between ornament
and construction.

The leclure was illustrated by a very large series of
diagrams, representative of the various styles and
forms of art, and their development.

13. — " FLOWERS : THEIR COLOURS, PERFUMES AND CONTRIVANCES FOR
FERTILISATION.

Delivered on Wednesday, May 22nd, by James Rodway, F.L.S.,
Librarian and Assistant Secretary to the Society.

The lecturer, after giving a short description, of the
essential organs of flowers, proceeded to explain some
of the reasons why different colours have been developed.
Nocturnal flowers are always white, a colour which
shows up best on a dark ground of foliage. White
flowers, and a few yellows and pinks, are generally
scented. The colour and perfume in nocturnal flowers

Popular Science Lectures. 207

combine to attract moths and other insects. Brilliant
yellows, reds, and blues, are essentially diurnal, and
almost universally scentless, because the colour alone is
sufficiently attractive. Dull and lurid colours are often
associated with heavy disagreeable odours, for the pur-
pose of attracting flies.

The lecturer then proceeded to explain a few of the
contrivances by which orchids and other flowers are fer-
tilised, showing some of the insects which carry on the
work, and their manner of procedure.

The leclure was illustrated by a few diagrams and
a large number of different flowers, many of which
were continually referred to for the purpose of explain-
ing the various points in the leclure.

14. — "photography: its nature, history and application.

Delivered on Tuesday, June 25th, by H. H. Cunningham, B. A.,
Stipendiary Magistrate of British Guiana.

The lecturer began by explaining the essentially sim-
ple principle of photographic processes generally ; and
gave a detailed historical account of the building up of
the art and science of photography, with special refer-
ence to sensitive plates, and the methods of fixation of
the images — the various prominent investigators being
named, and the substances made use of described. The
special applications of modern photography were then
briefly indicated : such as for portrait and pictorial pur-
poses and the reproduction and multiplication of maps,
plans, manuscripts, and drawings ; for astronomical,
microscopical, and geological matters ; for the registra-

208 TiMEHRI.

tion of meteorological phenomena ; and for the detec-
tion of forgeries.

The leclure was freely illustrated by photographic
samples of the various processes, some being shewn by
means of an optical lantern belonging to Mr. Luard of
Peter's Hall, who also exhibited views of different
parts of the world.

Erratum.
On page 96, line 25, for Captain read Captor.

[ADVERTISEMENT.] ^

1

"T I M E H R I,"

BKING THE

Journal of the Royal Agricultural & Commercial

Society of British Guiana,

EDITED BY

J. J. QUELCH, B. Sc., C.M.Z.S., of University College, London.

Published Half-Yearly [June& December.]

PRICE :

For the year #i 92(8/)

For each part 96 (4/)

PRINTED AT THE " ARGOSY" PRESS, DEMERARA.

OF ETHNOLOGY,

BEIItC

THE JOURNAL

0 F

IM w^ M^lkml an(t l^nunerdal

orietg of |irrfel( ipiana.

Vol. hi. New Series.]

DECEMBER, i889. Part n.

Edited by

. J. J. Quelch, B. Sc, Lond.

Contents :

PAPERS. — Fruit Groiving in the Gulf States of America, by
G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S. ; "Letters of
Aristodemus and Sincerus," bv JAMES RODWAY, F.L.S. ; The
West Indian Bundle of Sticks, by N. Darnell Davis ; Primitive
Games, by EVERARD F. IM THURN, M.A. ; Notes on Some of the
Scale hi seels inimical to Vegetation, found in the Botanic
Gardens, Georgetown, British Guiana, by S. J. MdNTlRE,
F.R.M.S. ; Wild Floioers of Georgetown, by Exley PERCIVAL,
B.A. : Caracas as a Place of Resort, by W, J. Smith.

Reports of Society's Meetings, from July to December, 1889.
Paper. — Economising Sugar Carriers, by W. Price Abell,
late Whit. Scholar.
List of Popular Science Lectures.

Publishers :
Demerara : J. THOMSON, Argosy Printing Press.
London : E. STANFORD, 26 & 27, Cockspur St., London.

The two Plates which should have been attached
to Mr. Abell'S paper, and which have not arrived
from England in time for the present issue, will be
inserted in the next issue (June, 1890).

The Editor also desires to acknowledge the ready
assistance of Mr. EXLEY PERCIVAL, B.A., Principal
of Queen's College, who took charge of the Journal
during the Editor's absence in England.

/

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States of America.

By G. H. Hawtayne, C.M.G., C.tyf.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President.

jHE Society is indebted to Major WALTHALL for
having obtained from the United States De-
partment of Agriculture an interesting report
on tropical and semi-tropical fruits.

In this colony the fruit industry has of late, to some
extent, occupied attention, and it may be interest-
ing and useful to extra6l fiom the above report informa-
tion as to the fruits grown in the Southern States, and
some examples of the energy and enterprise with which
fruit growing and the fruit trade are there prosecuted.
A perusal of the report is, however, calculated to raise
a feeling of self-reproach when the activity of our
northern friends in combating climatic difficulties and
developing a trade in fruit, carried to other parts of the
United States, or as canned and manufactured products,
is compared with the apathy with which the produce of
our fruit trees is regarded by us, and the feebleness of
our attempts to cultivate, much less improve, or to con-
vert into a valuable export, the fruit that grows or can
be grown in this colony.

The States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, and thence
called the Gulf States, comprise Florida, Alabama,
Mississipi, Louisiana, and Texas, and are the regions
in which tropical fruits are cultivated. They lie
between 25 and 35 degrees north latitude, but only
the peninsular part of Florida and a corner of Texas are

DD

210 TlMEHRI.

south of 29 degrees. The ordinary temperature varies
from 400 to 86°. In the more northern parts it some-
times falls to 270 and even lower.

The principal fruits raised in the most Southern States
of America are pines, mangos, bananas, oranges, guavas,
and figs.

Pine apple cultivation was begun in Florida in i860,
when slips were imported from Havana and planted on
one of the numerous keys or islets off the coast of
Florida. The experiment was so successful that the
industry grew rapidly, and the acreage planted in pines
is now very extensive. Even a slight frost is, however,
detrimental to this plant, and in some localities the pines
are protected by sheds of palm leaves. In 1886 the
crops on the mainland were destroyed by cold, and those
on the keys suffered in quantity and quality. An out-
break of yellow fever in the same year at Key West,
which lies off the southern point of Florida, and is one of
the chief depots of the shipping trade, interrupted busi-
ness for some weeks at a critical time, and tons of rotten
fruit had to be destroyed by the sanitary authorities.

It appears that growers as a rule are satisfied with
selling their pines at five cents each. But different
kinds bring different prices, and while "Red Spanish"
fetch 25 to 50 cents per dozen, " Sugar-loaves" com-
mand $1.20, and " Porto Ricos" are worth 50 cents each.
The red Spanish pine above referred to is described
as a short fruit, bulging in the middle and ruddy yellow
when ripe. The Sugar-loaf is pyramidal in shape, and
pale green, changing to a fine yellow, with an exquisite
flavour. The Porto Rico attains a weight of 6 to 15 lbs.
and has a delicious taste.

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 211

On these keys the pine flourishes in a very thin stra-
tum of leaf mould lying on coralline rock, and requiring
no previous digging or cultivation. It would seem that
the hard ground prevents the use of any implement, and
so the slips are stuck into any convenient cranny, or
else planted in a little scraped-together soil, where
weeding can only be done by hand.

I may here record a West Indian superstition that
the time that will elapse before a pine plant will bear,
depends on the number of chops or blows given with
the hoe when planting it. If a sufficiently deep hole is
made with one chop the pine will bear in one year, if
two chops are required the fruit will take two years,
and so on.

The crop of the Florida keys, with the exception of
small quantities carried to the coast, is sold in New
York. Want of rapid communication prevents the con-
veyance of this fruit to the ports on the Atlantic and
Gulf.

The pine is reported to be a "good shipper" for a
tropical fruit, standing rough handling, and, if not cut
too late, keeping for three weeks.

The report gives a list of no fewer than 63 varieties
of the pine. The names of some of which indicate a
West Indian origin, such as Antigua Queen, Black
Jamaica, Montserrat, Cayenne, Striped Surinam, St. Vin-
cent, Trinidad Pitch-lake, &c.

I am not aware how many different sorts of pine are
raised in Guiana. As a rule one only sees two yellow
kinds, often brought to market in a bruised condition, and
a fine flavoured variety, with red skin and white flesh,
resembling in taste that of a peach.

DD2

212 TlMEHRI.

A beautiful fibre can be obtained from the leaves of
the pine apple, but they require to be steeped in water
eighteen days, and the difficulty of extraction prevents
its being largely used.

There are in the colony regions, where suitable soil
exists for the cultivation of this really hardy fruit-plant
— and, having regard to its keeping qualities, it would
seem that, freights being favourable, it might be profitably
sent to markets not more than twenty-one days distant.

The mango comes in for a full share of notice. The
fruit is greatly appreciated, but the statement that the
seeds are roasted and eaten in tropical countries will be
new at all events, to the dwellers in Guiana. We do
not, however, seem to utilize this fruit as much as we
ought. In India the sliced fruit is a common ingredient
in curry and forms an excellent pickle, of which Bombay
stuffed mangos are an example. Here we prefer im-
porting English pickles to using the materials we have at
hand. As a food tree it is loudly praised in the report,
since horses and cattle in Florida eat the fruit readily
and thrive upon it. The mango was, after some attempts,
which failed, successfully introduced in Florida so
recently as 1877, an^ when eight years old the mangoes
on the two parent trees were estimated to be as many
as 19,000, some of them one pound in weight. Eleven
trees in the fourth year from planting yielded fruit which
sold for $2 1 g, and two years afterwards, bushels of their
crop were shipped, realising at Chicago 60 cents per dozen.
These results are startling, especially when one reads
that the variety most commonly grown is the " turpen-
tine mango, one of the most inferior sorts, but better
than no mango at all."

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 213

The report states that the fruit can be canned, pre-
served, and used in any way in which the apple and
pear are prepared. The wood is said to be used in
tropical climates for waggon building, for which its tough-
ness recommends it. I am not aware of the timber of
the mango being thus utilized in the West Indies or in
Guiana.

Sixty-one varieties are mentioned as growing in
Florida, many of them introduced from Cuba. The
famous No. 1 1 from Jamaica has been introduced, but is
not yet fruiting. Single specimens in that island are
said to weigh 4 lbs. each.

No tropical fruit is cultivated over a larger extent in
the Gulf States than is the banana, which has been
found to be of easy culture, and so far hardy that it
sends out strong suckers soon after it has been killed to
the ground by frost. A healthy banana plant will
stand a temperature as low as 25 degs. Fahrenheit for a
few hours without much injury. One has seen in some
of the public gardens at home, such as Battersea Park,
one of those exiles grown as a foliage plant, struggling
against the fog and cold of a London October day, and
looking very miserable under the circumstances.

The banana is grown from Southern Texas to Saint
Cardine often as a merely ornamental plant. In some
parts of Florida its culture is profitable, since it sells in
most cases for as much as 5 cents a finger, a larger price
than is obtained in New York. At Orlando and in
Orange County they fetch wholesale i£ and 2 cents a
finger, and retail at 2^ cents each. At Manatu the price
for the last six years has been one cent each.

It will be seen that these prices would leave the

214 TlMEHRI.

American banana importer a considerable margin over
the cost of the fruit as purchased in Guiana.

Cuba supplies a large quantity of this fruit, as well as
of the plantain, of which it is the sole exporter, sending
tons to Key West, from which it is distant about 90
miles.

There are many varieties of bananas and plantains
mentioned in the report. Musa paradisiaca, variety
Sapientum, the most common banana, to eat which in
perfection, we are told it must be allowed to ripen on
the stalk — the Red Jamaica or Red Spanish, the stalks
and leaf ribs of which are wine colour, and the fruit
the red or purple banana shipped from the West Indies
to the northern ports. Its beauty recommends it as a
foliage plant. Hart's Choice, Lady Finger, &c, Musa
orientum, is reported to be the best and most profitable
banana cultivated in Florida. It is said to have come
from Abyssinia, but has long been grown in the West
Indies. Its fruit sells in the Florida markets for double
the price obtained for the Orinoco variety.

It would be useless to mention each of the thirty-eight
varieties which find place in the report. Among them
are the Musa dacca from China, Musa ensete (non -edible)
from Abyssinia, Musa Suniarum or Acuminata^ from
Malacca and the Sunda Islands, where the fruit some-
times attains a length of two feet. Musa troglodytorum,
indigenous to India and the Pacific Islands, the fruit of
which stands upright, the list showing the various sources
from which the Florida banana growers have drawn their
supplies.

Mr. JENMAN informs me, however, that in our Botanic
Gardens there are, including plantains, probably from

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 215

18 to 24 varieties. They are not all named, and of
those that are, the names are unfamiliar. Amongst them
are the Giant, Green, Red, Fig, Sherlocks, Common
Chinese, Martinique, which variety is grown in Jamaica
for the fruit trade, and the Manilla, from which the well
known fibre is obtained. No mention is made in the
report of any use being made of the plantain or banana
fibre derived from the stalks. My readers will not have
forgotten the interesting specimen of paper stuff made
from the edible banana by Mr. CROSS, who reported on
the West Indian fibres at the Colonial and Indian Exhibi-
tion and sent to the Society by me in 1886.

The orange is probably the most important fruit of
the more southern parts of America. In Louisiana and
Florida more fruit has been raised than suffices for home
consumption. Orange growing in Florida has been
attractive to numbers, including many young English-
men, who have gone out with hopes of unchequered
success. The report from which these extracts are made
speaks of the greed and fraud of land agents, and of reck-
less extravagance and speculation being common among
growers in that State until the " great freeze" of January,
1886, which proved the severest shock to the orange
industry ever known in the Gulf States. Orange culture,
we are told, is no longer an easy and agreeable way of
making an immense fortune, nor is Florida a modern
El Dorado.

But like most reverses, the " great freeze" has taught
useful lessons, and amongst them that orange culture is
but on a level with any honest agricultural pursuit. A
successful orange grower, like a successful cane planter,
must be devoted to his work and everything appertain-

2l6 TlMEHRI.

ing to it, and provided with brains, patience, and energy.
The shortened crop raised hopes of high prices, but
disappointment arose from defects in the system of mar-
keting— the crowding of the large markets to the
exclusion of the smaller — high rates of railroad
and other freight, and lastly and chiefly, the ship-
ment of immense quantities of inferior fruit. If
ever Guiana becomes a fruit exporting country this
lesson may be useful to us. Produces are often denied
fair play with disheartening results. Careless selection,
unsuitable packages,* "rushing" a market at unseason-
able times, are all errors into which inexperienced, eager
exporters too often fall.

Some figures are given showing the profits derived
from a plantation or grove of 4,000 trees, of which only
1,500 are bearing; of these 1,500 700 have been planted
sixteen years, 400 eleven years, and 400 seven to ten
years. From them there were shipped, in 1886-7, 4,724
boxes, sold, freight deducted, for $7,168.96 or $1.50 per
box, which, after deducting entire expenses of the whole
grove, including overseer's salary, taxes,, &c, left a
balance of $3,463 net proceeds for the year.

From 200 trees, five years old, 80,000 oranges were
picked two years previously.

Frost is not the only enemy of the orange tree. Its
insert foes are said to number over fifty (the most dan-
gerous being the scale inse6l) and are described by
Wm. H. Ashmead and Dr. Kennedy, whose works are
published in Jacksonville, as well as in the reports of
Professors RlLEY and COMSTOCK, published by the United

* See letters on the Packing of Fruit for Shipment reprinted from

Timehri.

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 217

States Department of Agriculture, June, 1878. Several
works on orange culture exist, while much valuable in-
formation is to be found in the agricultural newspapers of
Florida. 142 varieties of the orange proper (Citrus
aurantium dulcis) are named in the report as being culti-
vated in Florida. Some being imported from Japan,
Havana, Cochin China, Mediterranean, Sandwich Islands,
Himalaya, Majorca, Malta, Brazil, and other sources. In
California the leading varieties are Mediterranean Sweet,
Maltese Blood, Paper Rind, St. Michael, and Valentine
Late ; Mandarin and Tangerine are also profitable.

Some of the largest yields in California are from small
holdings, the owners of which have attended to details
themselves, and have been watchful in regard to injurious
insects.

The stocks on which, in Florida, the orange is grafted,
or rather budded, are seedling sweet and sour oranges,
the Florida or rough lemon, and the Pommelo or Grape
fruit. The best growers advocate training the trees
into a low bushy head. In such cases the trunk is
healthier, the fruit more easily gathered, and less liable
to be blown off during high winds.

Besides growing the fruit for export, the orange wine
industry is being largely developed, and of still more
importance is the perfumery industry, the fallen blos-
soms being collected for the purpose.

Reference may here be made to the remarks made by
Dr. Paul* respecting the raw materials to be found in
the West Indies, which are useful in the manufacture
of perfumes, and to the suggestion of Mr. FiELD,f that

* Colonial and Indian Exhibition Reports, page 259.

(■ Timehri, Vol, 1, N, S., pag^ 21.

E E

2l8 TlMEHRI.

citron and orange oils which are supplied to English
markets by Messina and Spain might and ought to be
obtained from our own Colonies.

Orange trees which have succeeded in California are
being introduced into South Australia, and among those
selected as the best in existence of their several kinds,
are the Washington Navel, Mediterranean Sweet, and
Ruby. Some 200 acres are being planted by one enter-
prising proprietor. There will no doubt be a market in
England for South Australian oranges, as for other fruits
which vessels fitted with refrigerators are' enabled to
bring to the London market in excellent condition.

The cultivation of the Shaddock (of which there are
said to be forty varieties, the fruit of some occasionally
weighing 15 lbs.) and of Pommeloes or Grape fruit is being
extended. The last named is considered a first class
marketable fruit, selling in the Northern States, when
the main orange season is over, from 7^ to 15 cents each.

The citron (Citrus medico, cedra), from the thick rind
of which candied citron of commerce is prepared, is for
some reason rarely grown in Florida. It is the most
tender of all the citrus tribe.

The lemon (Citrus medico limonum) appears to be
largely grown and a great many varieties are mentioned.
Some, however, are of inferior quality, and the exporta-
tion of these has in many cases damaged the reputation
of the Florida lemon. Lemons, at all events those of a
good kind, do not grow here, but the following directions
for curing lemons might be tried with our limes. They
are furnished by a firm of growers who realize from
$1*50 to $g*2o a box for their lemons: — The lemons are
cut when two inches diameter, then piled in a heap on

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 219

the floor in a dark, close room, and covered with a
blanket or cloth. They remain forty-eight hours ; at the
end of which time they will be in a profuse sweat. They
should be wiped dry and put on shelves in single layers in
a dark room and kept seven to ten days until coloured a pale
straw colour, when they are wrapped, sized, and packed.
Another plan is to pick green, dry for one hour, wrap them
in two sheets of common wrapping paper and pack in an
air-tight box in a closed room. They will be finely coloured
in six weeks to two months and will keep for many months.
The report speaks of limes as being preferable to
lemons, but they are not much appreciated in the north-
ern markets. Fifteen varieties are named : among
which appear the Persian, Tahiti, and seven from the
Himalayan region. The manufacture of citric acid and
preparation of lime juice do not exist.

The guava (Psidium) is perhaps, from its being so
common in this colony, rather despised, except for jelly
making. There are, according to Mr. Jenman, to whom
I am indebted for this and other information, about six
cultivated varieties in the Botanic Gardens, all belonging
to one out of the many species of Psidium.

The frost of 1886 having killed nearly all the trees in
the State of Florida, except those of the Cattley and
Chinese kinds, the guava, which is styled the apple of
Florida, has been much prized since that date.

Although tropical and sub-tropical America are con-
sidered to be the home of the guava, the Cattley guava
was introduced in 1820 into England, where it was
grown in hot houses, from China, where it is probable
it was first carried from Brazil. The common guava
(Psidium guayava) which was first introduced into

E E 2

220 TiMEHRi.

South Florida in 1847 from Havana, is extensively-
grown, and a jelly factory exists at Fort Gatlin, where
fifty cents a bushel is paid for the fruit. At Adam
Quays and Jacksonville they fetch $1*50 and $2*00 a
bushel. There are ten varieties at present cultivated
in Florida — one of which, the white winter guava, des-
cribed as very large, 3 or 4 inches in length, pear
shaped, with few seeds, is unsurpassed for canning, as
the seeds can be removed like the core of an apple.
The Guinea guava produces fruit an inch in diameter
of exquisite flavour. Psidium araca from Brazil is
well spoken of. The Cattley guava (Psidium Cattley-
anum) bears fruit an inch in diameter of a fine dark
colour and with a strawberry flavour.

The report contains a list of a dozen other guavas
natives of Central and South America.

The report insists on the value of the fig (Ficus Carica)
and remarks that no attempt has been made in Florida
to dry or prepare the fig for commercial purposes.

The fig grows well in this colony and some remarks
as to its culture and preparation may be of interest.
The price in New York for figs grown in the Gulf States
is about 35 cents a quart. A large number of figs are
named, amongst them the White Adriatic, from which
the finest Smyrna figs of commerce are produced, and
it begins to bear the year after it is planted. In Cali-
fornia there are trees yielding from 1,800 to 2,000 lbs.
of green fruit. In that State the common variety is
the Mission which was introduced from Mexico.

Dried figs are prepared at Los Angelos by being
placed when cut, on trays having laths on the bot-
tom, on which the eye of the fig is placed so as to

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 22?

arrest leakage of the sugary contents. The figs are
dried in the sun, being turned every day. At night they
are covered over, and if as dry in the morning as in the
evening, they are sufficiently dried. They are then
dipped for a second in a boiling solution of rock salt,
and they are then pressed with finger and thumb so as
to distribute the thick skin round the eye and the fine
skin at the stalk end, which is uppermost when packed,
the appearance being improved thereby. The figs are
then packed in boxes. The white flowery substance on
old Smyrna figs consists of grape sugar and small
crystals of rock salt.

Another process is treatment with sulphur and sun drying.

It may be of interest to transfer from the pages of
the report notices of fruit with which we are familiar,
and which appear to attract much attention in Florida
and other Southern States.

The Sapodilla (Achras sapota) is one of the principal
fruit trees grown on Key West, where it has been culti-
vated for many years. To stand shipment it must be
picked green, when it loses the delicious flavour acquired
by being ripened on the tree. To carry the ripe fruit
successfully, refrigerators are necessary. Some of the
fruit weighs over a pound. They appear to require
careful precautions against frost. Being propagated
from seed there arises a great difference in size, shape,
and flavour of the fruit.

The Sapodilla has been introduced into India, where,
according to Dr. Watt, the fruit is not much appreciated
but is surreptitiously sold in the streets as Mangosteen.*

* Catalogue of Exhibits by Government of India at Colonial and
Indian Exhibition, 1886, page 77.

222 TlMEHRI.

The report makes mention of the Mammee Sapota
(Lucuma mammosa) , the cultivation of which has been
but lately introduced, and the trees in South Florida
and the keys do not appear to have commenced to bear.
The fruit obtained from Cuba sells at 40 cents a dozen.

The star apple (Chrysophyllum Cainito) has. as yet,
been planted in Florida in only small numbers and quite
recently. There is a good demand for the fruit at Key
West, where they fetch 15 to 30 cents a dozen.

The sugar apple or sweet sop (Anona squamosa)
appears to be largely grown, and the writer of the
report is loud in his praises of its virtues. This fruit is
said to have greatly improved under cultivation in India.
The Cherumoya is grown to the same extent.

The Sour Sop (Anona muricata) is cultivated in South
Florida to a small extent, although the Cuban fruit sells
readily at 10 to 20 cents each.

The Cashew nut (Anacardium) is also mentioned, but
has received but little notice. The kernel is said to be
made into puddings, roasted, and in other ways prepared
for the table. One use, probably novel to us in Guiana, is
to improve the flavour of old Madeira wine, — and although
the acrid nature of the oil contained in the coating of
the kernel is familiar to us, it is not, I think, generally
known that the vapour of the nuts when roasted, causes
erysipelas. It may also be a fa6t new to us that a
pleasant vinous liquor is evolved from the fleshy stalk of
the Cashew fruit by fermentation, and that by distilla-
tion, a pleasantly flavoured spirit is obtained.

Other fruits are noticed, such as the cocoa plum
(Chrysobalanus Icaco), which is popularly known under
the suggestive, but unpoetical, name of Fat-pork here,

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 223

and grows wild and in gardens, as Mr. Jenman informs me ;
Rose apple or Pomme rose (Eugenia jambosa) , Barbados
gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata), strawberry tree, the
arbutus of Europe, and Pistachio (Pistacia vera) which
have been introduced into Florida, but their cultivation
does not appear as yet to have been very general or
very successful.

The sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), known to us as a
temptation to small boys to throw stones, appears to be
much appreciated along the Florida coast, where the
fruit is eaten raw, or in preserves and jellies.

Of the pawpaw (Car tea papaya) there are several
varieties : one is spoken of as bearing small bitter fruit
the size of an egg or smaller, while another bears fruit
of 5 and 10 lbs. weight. The fruit will not stand 24
hours transportation when ripe. Its property of render-
ing raw meat tender, and its use as a fruit to be eaten
raw, or stewed with sugar, are known in Florida.

It will be remembered that this peculiar property of
the pawpaw has been utilised in the treatment of dys-
pepsia, and papaine is superseding pepsine, prepared
from the gastric juice of swine by a clever, but not very
attractive process. Papaine is also used in diphtheria
with the view of dissolving the membrane, which is one
of the characteristics of that disease.

The Otaheite gooseberry (Cicca disticha) , although
susceptible of cold, is largely cultivated as an ornamental
tree and for its fruit, which is highly, esteemed for pastry,
jellies, and preserves. These good qualities do not seem
to be recognised by usin British Guianatoanygreatextent.

The cultivation of the cocoa nut palm is one of the
leading industries of South Florida, although its tender-

224 TlMEHRI.

ness as regards frost prevents its being grown north of
Charlotte Harbour in that state. The palms are free
from disease, nor are they attacked by rats as in Jamaica,
where we learn the trees are protected by zinc sheets
nailed on to them, over which the vermin cannot climb.

The Mammee apple or St. Domingo apricot (Mam-
mea americana) is spoken of as a delicious fruit —
popular in Key West, which is supplied from Cuba, and
capable of standing a week or more of transportation.
This tree is a native of Carribbee Islands.

The Ginep (Melicocca bijuga), which is not much
prized in the West Indies, is said to market well.

To the fruit of the several varieties of passion flower
the name Granadilla is indiscriminately applied. That
known in Florida as Passiflora edulis bears fruit as
large as a goose egg of a purple colour. The Grana-
dilla (Passiflora quadrangularis) is grown to a small
extent in Florida.

The Semitoos and Bell Apples (Passiflora laurifolia)
which reached London in 1886 in excellent condition were
much appreciated. They are easily grown and keep well.

The Avocado pear (Persea gratissima) has been
known for many years in Florida, where it is said to
bear the fifth year from seed, and to yield as many as
500 fruit each tree when in full productiveness. The fruit
sells from 72 cents to %i per dozen.

The healthiest trees are planted on high rich shell
mounds — a high rich location with yellow subsoil also
suits them. In this colony, where the trees fail suddenly
from, as is supposed, the roots striking an uncongenial
stratum, a prepared soil resembling the above might be
tried with success.

Fruit Growing in the Gulf States. 225

It is stated that the fruit ships well, and is every year
imported from the West Indies — which island is not
mentioned — to New York, where they retail at from 20 to
40 cents each, and where the sales average from 300 to 500
fruits per week during the season, June to November.

We here know the Avocado pear as a tender fruit —
spoiling if picked full, in a very short while. I have
seen them in the London shops, each carefully laid in a
separate compartment of a box — and understood they
came from the Azores. If they command such a large
price in New York, and the means of carrying them
safely thither can be compassed, it would surely be
worth the while of our farmers here to raise this fruit.

It is to be regretted that our climate is too warm for
the tree tomato of Jamaica (Solanum betaceum) — the
plants of which raised by Mr. Jenman all died in two
years, as from its description it would be a welcome
addition to the fruit of British Guiana.

The Hogplum (Spondias lutea) , from which a jelly,
pleasing in appearance as well as in taste, is made — the
Tamarind and the Almond (Terminalia catappa) are also
favourably mentioned in the report. The last named
has been described by Charles Kingsley, who says it is
not an almond at all, but named as so many West Indian
plants have been, after some known plant, to which it
bore a likeness, and introduced from the East Indies
through Arabia and tropical Africa, having begun its
westward journey probably in the pocket of some
follower of VASCO De Gama.

A long list is given of tropical fruits recently intro-
duced into Florida, probably not yet fruiting, and but
little known.

FF

226 TlMEHRI.

Among them are several quite familiar to us, and
others which are not common, if indeed known here.
The Antidesma Bunias from Java, with bright red
fruit changing into black, used for preserving ; the
Deltonia luctea of Brazil, where it is called the Capu-
assu, bearing fruit, one of which, we are told, when ripe,
will deliciously perfume the air. The pulp washed off
in water and strained, with sugar added, obtains the
title of "Wine of Capuassu," to drink which is said to
be worth a voyage across the Atlantic. The Lucuma
Caimito is a handsome ornamental tree, and its fruit one
of the best in Brazil The Chilian myrtle, the Leechee
Nephelium Litchi of China, said to be as delicious as any
fruit in existence. Platonia msignis, from the fruit of
which the choicest and most expensive preserve in Brazil
is made, are among the new arrivals, while the pamphlet
is embellished with coloured representations of some
Japanese plums, which, if they are as toothsome as they
are beautiful to the eye, must be delicious food.

The above extracts will, it is hoped, be interesting to
our agricultural friends. They will serve to shew that
fruit growing, even under difficulties from which we are
happily free, can be made profitable. What is required
is quick transport to market. This, it may be, is beyond
the power of our small farmers to obtain without aid
from the Government, but it must not be forgotten that
state aid will not supply what are indispensable, but in
a large degree lamentably absent among our small-
industry people, viz. — Energy and Patience.

"Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus."*

AN OLD BOOK ON THE COLONIES OF DEMERARA AND ESSEQUEBO.

By fames Rodway, F.L.S.

[HIS work appears to have been quite unknown
to the English writers on these colonies, and
as it is very interesting and valuable for
the light it throws on the state of affairs at a rather
critical period in our history, a brief account of the book
will probably be interesting at the present time. Who
were the writers of the letters is unknown, and from the
style of the work it may be presumed they had good reasons
for remaining in the background. The correspondence
was originally published in the Courier van Europa, the
principal writer, who styles himself Aristodemus, dating
from Demerara, September 2nd, 1784, while the reply
of Sincerus purports to have been sent from that colony
on the 26th of the same month. This seems to show
that the parties were living in the Netherlands, being
probably Demerara proprietors or persons interested in
the two rivers.

As may be seen from the contents of the twelve
volumes, the " Letters" form less than half the work,
the remainder being made up of prefaces and observa-
tions of the editor, and appendices, the latter being the
most important, as they contain copies of official papers
connected with the colonies. Aristodemus writes very

* Brieven over het Bestuur der Colonien Essequebo en Demerary,
gewisseld tusschen de Heeren Aristodemus en Sincerus, nevens Bylagen.
&c. Amsterdam, 1785-8, 12 vols., 8vo.

FF2

228 TlMEHRI.

forcibly, and speaks of the tyranny and meanness of
the Company in such plain language, that it can easily
be understood why he hid himself under a nom de plume.
It has been suggested to me as probable, that a certain
well-known gentleman, interested in Demerara, named
DlRK Hoola. van NOOTEN, had something to do with
the matter, which is quite possible. If such was the case,
the well-known Georgetown family of that name have
reason to be proud of their ancestor.

Coming to the appendices, which, as was said before,
form the most important division of the work, they are
simply invaluable to the historical student. Here we
find all the evidence that could be procured on several
important matters, including the precedents for Colonial
Representation in the Council, terms of land grants,
prices of produce and the taxes paid thereon, prices of
slaves and the cost of procuring them, a suggested plan
for erecting Government buildings in the new town
(Stabroek), a project for a civil list, and a number of other
interesting subjects. The petitions however are, per-
haps, aboveall the other documents, of the greatest impor-
tance. The planters and inhabitants spoke plainly, told
the Company that they had better give up the colonies
to the state, informed the States General that there was
no government in Essequebo and Demerara, told the
Directeur-General that his council was only a pretended
one, and altogether made Mr. Jan L'Espinasse and the
Council of Ten feel very uncomfortable. To the petitions
are attached copies of the signatures, so that a fair idea
can be formed of the principal planters living at the
time, and these will be found especially interesting in
elucidating family history. To give an idea of the scope

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 229

of the work, the following sketch of the troubles which
led to such a voluminous book are taken from the differ-
ent volumes and freely translated : —

In 1785, the colonies had been just given over by the
French, who had held them on behalf of the Dutch for
about three years. No town existed in Demerara up to
the present, but during the French occupation a little
village had grown up in the neighbourhood of the
Brandwagt, which they called la nouvelle ville or Long-
champs. The fort on the east bank of the Demerara
River (now Fort William Frederick) was also built at
this time, and named Le Dauphin, while another on the
opposite side was called La Reine.

Complaints had been continually made by the planters
of the want of protection for their estates, to which the
West India Company gave little heed, throwing in their
teeth the fact that when the first lands were granted in
Demerara it was stipulated that the Company should
not to be bound to erecl fortifications. The want of a
proper seat of government had also been felt for some time
before the capture of the colonies, the Commandeur
trying to get it placed near his own plantation, only
thinking of the convenience to himself.

In anticipation of the colony being given up by the
French, meetings were held at the Hague in 1 783, to formu-
late a plan for the regulation of the government of the
colonies. It was understood that the Company were
financially unable to do much, and therefore the assist-
ance of the Stadtholder and States General would be
necessary. The Province of Holland would do nothing
unless the navigation and trade of the colonies were
entirely free to all citizens of the Netherlands. Four

230 TlMEHRI.

points were considered : first, political government ;
second, administration of justice; third, defence ; and
last, estimate of expenses and how they were to be
raised. On consideration of these matters it was decided
to recommend that the two colonies should be placed
under one head, a Directeur- General, who should reside
in Demerara. The island of Borsselen being too small,
it was recommended that the seat of government should
be on Pin. Jonge Rachel, at the mouth of the Hobaboe
Creek. The political government should be placed under
the Council of Policy, to consist of the Directeur-
General, and four of the servants of the Company, who
should receive proper salaries and be independent of
other employment. Essequebo was to have a similar
Council under a Commandeur, and Combined Councils
of Policy were to be held at intervals in Demerara. A
proper person should be placed at the head of the Court
of Justice, which should consist of six citizens chosen
by the Burgher Court Martial. Demerara should be put
in proper state of defence, and the Brandwagt and some
other posts be properly manned and armed ; Esse-
quebo should also be put in proper order and a post
established at the Orinoco in a position to make such a
defence as might be necessary ; for all of which 250
soldiers were considered sufficient. A plan of the build-
ings required for the new town, as well a complete civil
list, were prepared, and estimated to cost /i, 000, 000 to
put in working order, and a further sum of 7250,000
annually to keep them up. The taxes would have to be
raised to support this new system, and, on further infor-
mation, other matters would be decided. Mr. M. B.
HartsiNCK, a planter of Demerara, being then in the

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 231

Netherlands, was chosen to proceed to the colony, with
Mr. C. C. CANNE, an engineer, provided with authoriza-
tions and instructions to initiate the new work and settle
the site of the new town.

On their arrival they found the nucleus of a town
existing, and after some hesitation it was chosen as the
seat of government and named Stabroek. A Directeur-
General, JAN. L'ESPINASSE, and other officials came out
in March, 1785, and took over the Government from
JOSEPH BOURDA and his three associate councillors,
who had remained in office during the English and
French occupation, and chose other councillors. JOSEPH
BOURDA and his associates having been chosen for life
as representative councillors, the planters did not like
this state of things, but when the taxes were raised they
openly murmured and petitioned against it. " If any
colony (said they) had a right to demand freedom of
taxes, if only for one year, it is this, when it is taken
into account the great losses suffered by war and its
results. It commenced with the loss of thirty-two ships
at sea and in the rivers, of which many were full and
others partly laden with the produce of the colony; this
was followed by great scarcity of the necessaries of life;
during many months we were without ships to load pro-
duce, so that the sugar ran away to molasses, and much
coffee was spoilt by weevils. When at the latter part
of 1 781 some English vessels arrived and took in their
loads, then came the French squadron to disappoint our
expectations, taking the colony from our enemy, and by
right of war the produce in the British vessels became
again confiscated, so that the planters and inhabitants
suffered a new loss. In the last month of the English

232 TlMEHRI.

rule supplies of provisions came in, but this new change
of affairs raised the prices of everything to the highest
point, and this lasted until the necessary supplies could
be procured from the islands first and afterwards from
Europe in neutral vessels.

" The re-taking of the colonies by the French caused
great suffering, from which we had been free under the
English; the English Governor came alone, and, having
no soldiers, did not think of building a fort, but the
French being in a different position, their first care was
to fortify the colony, for which the planters were obliged
to furnish slaves, so that during 1782 and 1783, thirty
thousand days of slave labour were supplied by them.
To these hardships must be added a double head-tax in
1 782-3, and a great loss to the planters from their produce
being transported under neutral flags, by which the net
returns of sugar were reduced to almost nothing, and
cotton and coffee to half their value.

<fThe planters and inhabitants dare flatter themselves
that their High Mightinesses will take all these things
into their favourable consideration, and treat their far-
away subjects equally with those at home when storms
and inundations have occurred in some of the provinces,
by permitting the remission of all head-money for one
year, the granting of which they hereby implore from
their High Mightinesses."

It appears that the planters were very pleased when
they heard of the deliberations at the Hague in 1783,
but grievously disappointed on hearing the results, which
alas, instead of improving, had put matters on a worse
footing. The Council of Ten, instead of carrying out
the recommendations of the Hague Committee, had

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 233

(from want of funds) reduced the estimated cost of
almost everything. As an example, the Fiscal was to
have a salary of fi, 000, but the Council of Ten only
allowed /450. " Nobody of importance would accept
such a low salary, as the meanest white received /300
to /400, together with a free house, food,, and washing.
To show the cheese-paring policy of the Ten ; the
yearly expenditure was estimated at fully ^250,000, which
a later concept-plan reduced to fi 87,550 ; but the members
of the last meeting of the Ten had found ways and
means to reduce the whole annual expenditure to/i 16,800.

By the new regulations no produce was to be shipped
without previous notification to the secretary of the
quality and quantity, on pain of forfeiture to the Com-
pany. The reason for this law was supposed to be that
nothing should be sent away from mortgaged estates,
except to the persons entitled. This was considered as
very oppressive to the estates which were unincumbered,
and especially to those at a distance, such as at Mahaica.

Another law which gave great offence was, that one
white man was to be employed to every fifty slaves.
This law they said was useless, as it would be better to
increase the garrison, which could be maintained at a
lower figure. The planters were given two years to
comply, but it was considered doubtful if they would
ever succeed in getting such a number of whites as
would be required. Even if the law was carried
out, nothing could be more dangerous to the peace, as
each white man from his higher rank became very
assuming, and was unwilling to be under subordination, so
that when several white servants were employed together
each wanted to be master, and daily quarrels took place,

GG

234 TlMEHRI.

ending in disturbances. If the worst were sent away
there was no certainty of obtaining better ones, and
taking everything into consideration, the law was con-
sidered useless, unworkable, and mischievous.

What would be thought of such a law as this now-a-
days? "The Fiscal is authorised to prevent any public
meetings being held tending to be derogatory or disre-
spectful to the Government, either at Fort Zeelandi, in
the town of Stabroek, or in the rivers or creeks; the
offenders to be whipped."

The increase of taxes by the Company gave rise to a
great deal of controversy, the planters claiming that
they were entitled to have their say in the matter.
According to the Charter of the Company it appears
that it was entitled to claim a tenth part of the produce
after the first five years, and the Directors asked them
how they would like such an impost. Again, it was
claimed by the people that no new taxes could be im-
posed until both rivers were put into a proper state of
defence, to which the Company replied that the grants
in Demetara were given out on condition that it should
not be bound to furnish fortifications.

The planters collected all the evidence they could find
as to the regulations of the Company, as well as prece-
dents and usage ; first, to prove that they were entitled
to representation in the Council ; and, second, as to
their liability to pay taxes when not imposed with con-
sent of the Colonial Councillors. The Company appears
to have had the best of the argument, as their ruling
was absolute, not admitting of dispute. The Council of
Ten could make an order to-day and revoke it to-morrow,
if they chose, but it is not to be supposed that thev

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 235

wished to impose on the colonists, but money must be
had somehow, and if they obtained a loan from the
States General for the purpose of providing forts and
posts, the expense of keeping these armed and manned
would require extra taxes. Whether the planters were
unable to see this side of the question, or purposely
ignored it, it is hard to say ; as a matter of fa6t they
stuck to their complaints through thick and thin, while
the Company would not give way in the least.

The writers of these letters seem certainly to have
been well read, as they go over the whole field of colonial
history, quoting from some of the principal writers of
the day, English, French, and Dutch, and continually
referring to the new republic of the United States. The
planters are said to have had the feelings of republicans :
they did not however refuse obedience to a constitution,
but only wished to defend the rights they had held since
1773, and which had been given them by the supreme
government of the Netherlands. On the maintenance
of these the prosperity of the colonies depended, but the
Company had adopted such a deplorable system that the
constitution had been turned upside down. Writing in
1788 they say that for three years the colonies have been
without a government, and it was the duty of every free-
born subject to protest against this state of things.
Petitions and memorials were continually sent to the
Council of Ten, who replied to one of them, that the
republic never could admit a democratic or popular
government.

One of the appendices is entitled " My Ideas on the
Colonies of Demerara and Essequebo;" from which it
may be gathered that the planters were very much dis-

GG2

236 TlMEHRI.

satisfied with the West India Company. The following
is a resume of the " Ideas :" —

The profits of the Company are mostly realised from
the navigation and trade of the colonies. Fortifications
ought to be established so that an enemy might be kept
out, and a fleet kept constantly cruising off the coast,
the expenses of which should be defrayed by the nation
generally. The colonies should belong to the nation,
not to a company, and taxation be light and also regu-
lated by the Government of the Netherlands. If this is
done the profits will be great, and instead of being con-
fined to a few persons, will benefit the whole nation and
develop navigation ; on this account the states should
undertake to pav the costs of the defence. The nation
should offer premiums for agricultural improvements,
breeding of horses and cattle, &c. The prosperity of
the colonies has increased wonderfully during the last,
ten or twelve years. The first planters were poor, but
hardly any of them were encumbered with debt. Estates
in the upper part of the rivers turned out very barren,
but it was soon found that there was plenty of rich land
at the mouths of the rivers and along the coast. Conces-
sions were very large at first, but afterwards the estates
became split up into smaller lots. Credit was for a long
time quite unknown, when it came it poured in too fast
— it came too early, fell in bad hands, and occasioned
more harm than good. If this influx of money had
come later, it would not have been squandered uselessly
on the upper river estates, but would have been used to
advantage on the rich low lands. On the higher grounds
we only get from one to three good crops of sugar,
while even coffee, although it looks well and appears

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 237

promising, will not give good crops after five or six
years. With all the losses on the upper lands, however,
the colonies did not go back, but, on the contrary, they
improved, even in spite of the fact that money could
not be had at any price on account cf the severe losses.
Slaves are sold much higher here than in Berbice, Suri-
nam, or St. Eustatius, while our produce fetches a very
low price. The nation should open up the slave trade
direct with Africa and establish trading stations on the
coast in the same manner that the English are doing; in
this way we should not only get cheap slaver, but also
find a market for our plantation rum. Neither justice
or equity are known in these colonies, there are no legal
gentlemen, but plenty of law, planters' law, Roman law
and Dutch law, administered by people, some of whom
are unable to read the language, and those who can do
so still utterly incompetent to understand the laws.

According to a letter from an attorney to his principal,
the administration of justice was wretched, few of the
colonists were fit to sit on the bench ; most of them
Germans, English, and French, knowing nothing of the
Dutch law. The colonies required first-class men, not
only as lawyers, but also as merchants and navigators.

A similar letter gives a very clear statement of affairs
as follows : —

" If no new settlers, no buyers, no slaves, and no pro-
per servants are introduced ; if no proper regulations
are made, and if we get only the same old government
and servants of the same kind as are usually sent out
here, then I would advise you to end the matter and
abandon the place. To the West India Company the
colony has always been a source of trouble and loss ; it

238 TlMEHRI.

never flourished and never paid the Company after
deducting the cost of defence and maintenance. In
time of need the Company would not support the
colonies, nor make advances when necessary, notwith-
standing those advances could have been paid back
threefold within two or three years. The Company pos-
sessed too many interests, and therefore could not con-
centrate its attention here, and besides this it was under
the control of several chambers, and every chamber had
its discordant members. It followed, therefore, that the
resolutions and orders took long periods before they
became settled, during which the colonies stood in need
of stri6t orders and immediate a6tion. The heads of the
Company knew nothing of the state of affairs in the
colonies and even forgot their own resolutions. Should
they ever publish all the orders and resolutions of the
Company, the nation, yes, and even the Directors them-
selves, would be dumbfounded, astonished, and ashamed
at their contents.

" I have done my duty, I have told everything, I am
resigned, my conscience is clear, I have tried to prevent
myself and friends in the colony from being ruined. I
say it again, I write it here, and dare loudly to proclaim
it, yes, have it printed in leaded type, that it will be at
the personal responsibility of the rulers of the nation if
they do not minutely examine into the state of the
colony, which is infinitely worse than they expe6t, or
have ever been informed. Yes, it is unpardonable neg-
lect when the parties interested in the colony omit to
represent the causes of the bad state of affairs and the
means available for redressing these grievances, and
establishing order by a reformation of the constitution."

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 239

On the 24th of February, 1785, a protest or memorial
was forwarded to the Directeur-General, Jan U Espin-
ASSE, of which the following is the substance : —

The undermentioned planters and inhabitants of Dem-
erara and the sea-coasts thereof make known : That by
the publication of the nth of this month we have been
informed :

That the President, Representatives, and Directors of
the West India Company, in taking over this river, have
dismissed all the officials, both high and low, as well as
the Councillors :

That in the last meeting of the Ten at Amsterdam,
Joseph Bourda, Cornelis Overbroek, and Pieter
VAN Helsdingen were elected as Councillors:

That the second person above-named has died since,
and the two others have refused to sit as Councillors on
the election of the Company ; therefore three seats are
now vacant.

In consequence of the authority given to the Com-
mandeur and the Councillors by resolution of the Ten,
there are at present, as Councillors of Policy and Civil
and Criminal Justice, only Messrs. C.J. HECKEand F. C.
CHANGUION. To fill the third vacancy a nomination
has been sent to the Directors.

The undersigned beg to call the attention of the
Directeur-General to the following : —

That the Colonial or Burgher Councillors are appointed
and chosen from and through the Burghery; they could
not therefore be included in the high and low servants,
who by the transfer of this river are considered as being
discharged and deprived of their service and employ-
ment by the Directors :

240 TlMEHRI.

For these Colonial Councillors have never been con-
sidered here as servants of the Company, but entirely
distinct :

They have also at all times been admitted by the Ten
as separate.

The undersigned are not going to bring proofs of old
date, or before this river received a separate govern-
ment, but will be satisfied for the present to call your
attention to the sixth article of the Instructions of the
Ten to the Commandeur and Councillors of this river,
dated the 22nd of March, 1773:

Which instructions received the sanction of their High
Mightinesses on the 7th of April the same year: —

" In respedt to matters of importance, and the carry-
ing out of statute laws and regulations, as well as in the
proclaiming and publishing of all orders, the Command-
eur will be bound to convoke his Council, consisting of
the Commandeur, Captain Commandant, Fiscal, Vendue-
Master, and four of the most important, intelligent, and
pious of the inhabitants ; and the aforementioned before
taking their seats shall take the oath in the form pro-
vided."

These Colonial Councillors were continued during the
English and French occupation :

When the Directeur-General was ordered to discharge
all the Company's servants, he also dismissed the Coun-
cillors who were not servants.

The College of Keysers, who were citizens acting for
all the inhabitants, nominated Councillors as early as

J747-

The Council should consist of eight members, four
being servants of the Company and four citizens.

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 241

The Keysers, as constituted by resolution of the 15th
May, 1776, nominated three for each vacancy, from
which one was chosen. The College of Burgher Officers
is the same as that of the Keysers.

The citizens wish every one to have a vote.

The Council of Ten reserved the right to continue or
appoint a new Colonial Council after each session.

The late dismissal was unconstitutional and might
give rise to disturbances, as many planters would pro-
bably refuse to obey the new Council.

The undersigned ask that Joseph Bourda, WiLLE-
bordus Ramaker, Anthony Pieter Swaan and
PlETER VAN HELSD1NGEN, be allowed to take their seats,
as they are considered by the citizens as still legally
holding their offices as Councillors.

This protest was thus noted in the margin : — The
request cannot be entertained, the undersigned being
unable to alter the Company's resolution ; the petition-
ers are referred to the Company, and if anything disa-
greeable comes of it they must blame themselves.

(Signed) Jan L' Espinasse.

The Direcleur-General and Council in a letter to the
Council of Ten, dated February 15th, 1786, give a
resume of the state of affairs in Demerara as follows : —

The new arrangements for government, policy, and
justice, made by the Ten, have been entirely opposed
by the inhabitants, who refuse to accept any alterations
whatever, especially the following: —

1. — Appointment of Council without consulting the
citizens.

2. — Raising of the Head Tax to /"6.

They have petitioned that affairs be left on the former
HH

242 TlMEHRI.

footing and that the increased head money be abolished,
which request has been refused by the Direfteur-
General, he not being empowered to make any altera-
tions, or to refuse to carry out his instructions.

It had been published that the planters should send in
their returns for the assessment of the Head-Tax on pain
of a fine of /300, Very few having sent in their returns,
a second publication was made, extending the time with
a double fine, but still very few reports were received. The
Directeur-General thereupon summoned five of the most
influential, and inflicted the fine, which they refused to
pay. They sent a letter to the Fiscal, of which we en-
close a copy. A Council was then held, the minutes of
which are enclosed. We have ordered the sentence to
lapse, and do not intend further action until we learn
your decision.

Minutes of an extraordinary meeting of the Court of
Policy, held at Stabroek, November 28th, 1785.

A letter from the Fiscal was read, enclosing another
letter from the planters summoned to appear before the
Commissary to-morrow.

The Directeur-General said that the planters called
the Court a <; Pretended Council :" this he considered
very impertinent. The letter contained threatening lan-
guage and was, in his opinion, treasonable. If they had
appealed to the Court they might have had some indul-
gence; instead of which they had sent to the Fiscal, as
if that gentleman were able to decide. To maintain
their dignity they were bound to take notice of it. It
also threatened danger to the colony. He wished the
Court to deliberate as to what ought to be done under
the circumstances. In his opinion, the Fiscal should

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 243

not allow himself to be deterred from his duty, but go
on with the prosecution.

Mr. MEERTENS, the Fiscal, considered that if the four
leaders, who were Messrs. Albinus, Santheuvel, Hart-
SINCK, and JONAS, could be made to pay, the other
planters would soon follow r —

Letter to the Fiscal.

" Having already asked the Directeur-General to allow
matters to remain on the old footing, we expected a
different answer. This provocation has not however
made us lose our temper ; we know taxes must be raised
and we are quite willing to pay at the old rate ; this
proposition might have been accepted. Instead of
making peace, the action of the Diredteur-General
served only to stir up strife. We dispute the authority
of the Council to either impose the fine or fix the Head-
Tax at f6. We do not consider ourselves justified in
paying this. We thought that the decision of the Stadt-
holder on our memorial might have been awaited. The
order to give in the slave return has been improperly
given, as the taxes are not due until November, while
the returns were to be made in September. No ships
arriving before February, the produce will not be ready
in time for the tax in November, this not being crop
time. We have to complain of the Fiscal imposing this
fine. We received the citations, but did not think them
of any importance, not troubling ourselves or losing our
tempers. We propose to let the matter stand, but we
are not afraid. We don't want any disturbance, but if
any does take place, we shall place it to the account of
those who force the matter.''

Four points were considered by the Court.
HH2

244 TlMEHRI.

i. — Resolution of the Dire6lors, July 22nd, 1776.
2. — As to the continuance of the citation.
3. — As to the style and wording of the letter.
4. — As to the competency of the Court.

It was finally decided not to proceed to execution
until the Court is further advised, and in the meanwhile
to pay no attention to the language of the letter but
leave it to their High Mightinesses.

(Signed) Jan L'ESPINASSE, A. Meertens, F. C.
Changuion, J. Andriessen, Sen., and J, L. C. v.
Baerle, Secretary.

The following is one of the latest of the petitions : —

Letter from the planters and inhabitants of Deme-
rara to the Gentlemen Dire6teur-General and Fiscal.

" Highly honoured and most respected gentlemen,

" The undersigned, planters and inhabitants of this
river, find themselves compelled most respectfully, but
at the same time powerfully and earnestly to bring to
your notice : —

" That it is an irrefutable truth, that when the inhabi-
tants of a province, colony or village, form part of a
state :

' And, through a strange concourse of complications
in connection with questionable arbitrary a6ls done in
the said province, colony or village, — they remain with-
out any decisive answer from their rulers, who are the
highest representatives of the people :

" The inhabitants are at liberty, provisionally and until
the will of their rulers be made known, to establish such
order as is necessary, to prevent that confusion which
naturally follows the absence of a proper government
If this right is indisputable (which nobody can contra-

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 245

di6t) then are there no people anywhere more fully
justified in doing this than the undersigned.

" The Directors, being the gentlemen in charge of the
West India Company, thought fit in their meeting of
the Ten in 1784, to kick out the bottom of the original
basis of a true representative government, which had
been in force as a constitution from the very oldest
times of the colony.

" The duty of free-born subjects compelled the planters
and inhabitants of this river to enter their opposition
against this arbitrary a£t.

•' Being enemies to no government, it followed that
they proposed to the Gentleman Direfteur-General,
that those Councillors, who are de jure, but not de
facto, should be provisionally allowed to sit in the
Council ; far from being heard, however, they received
a sharp and shameful repulse, which, if they had re-
sented as it deserved, the results would have been
deplorable.

" However, not being intimidated by this, much less
induced to negle6l their duty, they offered to pay the
head and colonial taxes on the old footing :

" This a6t of moderation, which might have been
allowed in compliance with their request, was also
refused, and we have been referred to the Directors.

" In obedience to this, as in duty bound, we, the plan-
ters and inhabitants, presented a petition to the Gentle-
men Directors of the West India Company, in which it
was asked that the Councillors who are legally qualified
should be admitted into the Council, and, further, we
offered to pay the taxes as above-mentioned.

But these Directors were as little inclined to be

246 TlMEHRI.

accommodating to the inhabitants of these rivers as
their Directeur-General, and not even to prevent dis-
order, that might result from an absence of government,
have they deigned to make any appointments.

" In the meanwhile, there being plenty of evidence
forthcoming, or at hand, to allow us to judge as to
what are the opinions of the Directors towards us, we
addressed ourselves to their High Mightinesses by peti-
tion, to which we added a very concise memorial sup-
porting our objections, which petition, having been
received by their High Mightinesses, was at first, as
customary, put in the hands of the Directors for report.
Had these reporters (as in duty bound in respect to the
wishes of the inhabitants of these colonies, whom they
knew to be without proper rulers, and also in consi-
deration of the respect due to the state) answered
speedily, to-day, yes, even long ago, it would have been
possible to have had a proper government introduced
into these two rivers :

" But no ; they allowed eleven months to elapse from
the date the Directors had received the petition, before
their report was sent in to their High Mightinesses:

" From which it has followed, that, on account of the
intricacy of the affair (it not alone concerning these,
but also other colonies), the gentlemen delegated by
their High Mightinesses to confer with the West India
Company could not bring in their elaborate report
before the 19th of March of this year.

" From the unlucky events which have since taken
place in the Republic, this, as well as other conferences
on matters affeaing the Union, will be most difficult,
and for a time, impossible, which makes the under-

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 247

signed afraid that a considerable period will elapse
before conferences can be held over this report, and
resolutions passed upon it. The undersigned cannot
flatter themselves by any hopes of receiving a speedy
settlement from the Gentlemen Directors, as they have
represented to their High Mightinesses, that the Coun-
cil of Ten had separated for the recess, and that through
want of money the colonies would remain not only
without officials, but also without even the usual sup-
plies. After the above short recapitulation of the events
which have occurred, as well as of the present state of
affairs in Europe, the undersigned now proceed to
inform your Honourables of what is the position of
matters here :

" Of the four Company's officials, who, together with
the four Councillors chosen by the cilizens, should form
the Political Council, and, with the exception of the Gen-
tleman Fiscal, also the Court of Justice, we must inform
your Honourables, that there are no more than two at
present in the Colony ; the other so-called Councillors
are persons who have been assumed, but have never yet
been approved by the Directors, although they have sat
for three years ; they are therefore, as we said before,
unqualified and incompetent, either as Councillors of
Policy or Justice ; moreover, the Court of Justice is
incomplete :

" And, with the exception of your Honourables, the
undersigned are really without any governing authorities
in these rivers.

" These are not only the opinions of the undersigned,
but, judging by the expressions of the delegates of their
High Mightinesses in their report, their thoughts as

248 TlMEHRI.

well, as may be seen in the way they express them-
selves on page 21 : —

' It has been intimated to the Committee of Directors,
the great necessity that exists, to provide as soon as
possible against the continuation of the present confu-
sion, and to prevent what may result from the existing
state of no government in the colonies of Essequebo
and Demerara.'

" This expression plainly shows that the Council ap-
pointed in 1785 by the Gentlemen Deputies has not
been considered as a College of Government.

" The undersigned had flattered themselves that this
report (already in the Colony for so many months)
would have induced the Gentleman President to recon-
sider matters : But far from this, this Honourable, with
what he on a certain occasion called his Court, con-
tinues to pass sentences and make appointments, in
which the rules of justice are overstepped, and to which
his (so-called) Court blindly gives consent.

" Further, the undersigned have noticed the publica-
tion of rules as to anchoring and lying off the fort after
sunset of all vessels great or small, prohibiting their
either entering or leaving. This was given out by the
Dire£teur-General under a pretence of non-session of
the pretended Court, which, however, assembled in the
same week, on the day before the publication, as well as
that following, by which despotism is being attempted,
for it says, ''for reasons, us thereunto moving." In the
meanwhile, even before this beautiful publication was
known, they fired with shot, (although this was not in-
serted in the publication) all the boats being detained until
the following day, even some that arrived before sunset.

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 249

" From the foregoing acts it appears to the undersigned
that they imagine their quiet conduct to be the result
of want of spirit and carelessness, and that the under-
signed appear as if willing to lay down their necks upon
the block of despotic tyranny.

" Therefore they have considered it right for their own
justification, as well as for their descendants and the
people who in future may inhabit this beautiful colony,
to apply to your High Honourables : earnestly insist-
ing and beseeching you to put an end to this state of no
government in the most suitable manner. And, it
certainly appears to the undersigned, that the gentle-
men deputed by their High Mightinesses to enquire into
the allowing of what is lawful, (that is, the sitting of the
Councillors chosen from and by the citizens), have not
sufficiently explained themselves in the aforementioned
report.

" The best, most prudent, and what appears most in
unison with the intention of the supreme government,
which in affairs of this nature generally a6ts in accord-
ance with the propositions embodied in the Reports of
Committees, would be. to provisionally introduce a
government on the model proposed in pages 25 and 26
of the aforementioned report.

" The undersigned insist the more strongly on this
matter, as the Gentlemen Deputies express themselves
as follows in the Plan of Redress : —

'In case the colonists, upon the proposed 'Redress'
or any part of the same, should bring forward any
important considerations, their High Mightinesses would
be willing after due examination to reflect thereon, as
far as their High Mightinesses may think necessary, so

JJ

250 TlMEHRI.

as to arrive at the desired result, provided the 'Redress'
is carried out and is at once adopted.'

" The undersigned are under the impression, that by
hastening the introduction of the new plan of government
the true intention of the gentlemen reporters will be
fulfilled.

" On the contrary, it appears that by continuing these
Councillors, who even by the Committee of their High
Mightinesses, have not been acknowledged as rulers,
would be an a6t very displeasing to the Stadtholder.

" With this, the undersigned, as in duty bound, have
laid before you all they wish to say, supported by suffi-
cient proofs ; they hope their wishes may be carried out,
so as to prevent the undersigned being compelled
to make use of a6ts against the pretended Councillors
which would be unpleasant to every one.

(Signed by 76 persons.)

" Rio Demerary, October 2nd, 1787."

The Plan of Redress referred to in the above petition
was the well-known document which has formed the
Constitution of these colonies for a century. In 1789
the protests of the colonists were taken into considera-
tion and two Commissioners sent out, one being W. A.
VAN SlRTEMA, Baron GROVESTINS, and the other, S.
BoEY, with authority to enquire into the points of the
dispute. The Commissioners returned to the Nether-
lands in August, 1789, bringing with them the Dire6teur-
General, who had been allowed to resign, while the
Commandeur of Essequebo aaed provisionally as
Governor of the united Colony of Demerara and Esse-
quebo. In 1 791 the Charter of the Company expiring,
a renewal was refused by the States General, and it was

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 251

compelled to wind up its affairs. There were plenty of
protests against this, which the Company thought a
very high-handed proceeding, but there was no choice left
to the Directors. Their High Mightinesses took over the
shares at thirty per cent., giving bonds bearing interest
at 3 per cent., which, considering that the Company was
insolvent, and had paid no interest for many years
before, were very fair terms. The following year the
colonies were put under the control of the Colonial
Council of the Netherlands, under which superinten-
dence the trade was doubled in two years.

CONTENTS OF THE WORK.

Letters on the Government of the Colonies of Essequebo and
Demerary, between the gentlemen, Aristodemus and Sincerus, together
with the appendices to this correspondence, and a preface of the Dutch
Editor. — Amsterdam, W. Holtrop, 12 vols , 8vo.

Vol. I., 1785. Preface of the editor of these letters, p. 1-86. — List of
vessels cleared from Demerary in the months of March, April, May, and
June, 1784, p. 4. —First letter of Aristodemus to Sincerus, dated
Demerary, 22nd September, 1784, p. 1-35. — Reply of Sincerus, Septem-
ber 26, 1784, p. 3648. —Second letter of Aristodemus, September 26,
1784, p 49-99 — Reply of Sincerus, September 26, 1784, p. 160 109

Vol. II., 1786. Third letter of Aristodemus, p. 1-93. — Fourth letter,
p. 94-132. — Fifth letter, p. 133-162 — Appendices: — A. Extract from a
pamphlet entitled "My ideas on the Colonies of Demerary and Esse-
quebo ; " written at the end of the year 1783, p. 1-19. — B. Extraft from
a letter dated 9th February, 1784, concerning the Colony of Essequebo
and Demerary, p. 20-28. — C. Letter of an Agent in Demerary to the
Commissaries and Directors of his mercantile house, dated June 1st,
1784, p. 29-53. — D. Recapitulation of some remarks on a draft publica-
tion affefting the Public Vendues, p. 54-63.— E. Extract from a letter
of an agent to the Directors of his mercantile house, dated 23rd
August, 1784, p. 64-68. — F. Certain verses circulated in the Colony on
hearing the news that Essequebo and Demerary were to be brought back
under the old Government of the West India Company, p. 69.— G.

JJ2

252 TlMEHRI.

Letter to the Council of Ten protesting against Jews being allowed to
settle in the colonies, p. 70-S3. — A. Memorandum of the Presiding
Chamber to the Commandeur and Councils in Demerary as to the
right of the Company to impose taxes, 23rd April, 1779, p. 1-10. — B.
Resolution of Council of Ten, 22nd May, 1776, as to petition of four
assistants, &c, p. 11-18. ~C 1. Publication of Commandeur and
Council in Demerara, as to debtors, p. 19. — C 2. Extract-letter to
Commandeur Schuylenburgh and the Council in the River Demerary,
July 23rd, 1776, p. 20. — D. Extract from the minutes of an extraordi-
nary Meeting held on the Island Borselen, Wednesday, 8th January,
1777, p. 21-26.— E. Notes of B. Albinus on the Resolution of the
Council of Ten, dated 22nd May, 1776, p. 27-43. — F. Resolution of the
Council of Ten, 14th May, 1778, p. 44-45. — G. Another Resolution of
same date, p. 4648. — H. Resolution of the Ten, 18th June, 1778, p.
49-52-- 1. Resolution of Ten, same date, p. 53-54-- K. Resolution of
Ten, 24th June, 1778, p. 55-56. — L. Resolution of Ten, 22nd April,
!779> P 5759- — M. Resolution of Ten, 5th May, 1780, p. 60.— N.
Resolution of Ten, same date, p. 61. — O. Extract from the In-
structions of the Commandeur and Council of Demerary, dated 22nd
March and 9th April, 1773, p 62-64. Surety and conditions of the
captains and owners trading to Essequebo and Demerary, p. 65-69. —
P. Resolution of the Ten, 14th April, 1780.

Vol III., 1786. Sixth Letter of Aristodemus dated Demerary, 31st
December, 1784, p. 1-76. Appendices: A. Resolution of Ten, Sep-
tember 30th, 1784, as to slaves, vendues, &c, p. 1-4. — B. Resolution of
Ten, May 2nd, 1776, p. 5-7. — C. Publication of Governor Koppiers of
Berbice, February 26th, 1784, as to land grants of the English and
French being revoked, p. 8-9. — D. Instructions for the Governor of
Berbice, Articles 17 and 20, p. 10. — E. Extract from the Instructions
for the overseer of the stores, p. 11. — F. Extract from the Instructions of
the Fiscal, p 12 — G. Extract from a petition from Surinam, March 23rd,
1751 p. 13-16 - H. Letter of the Presiding Chamber of Zeeland, March
24th, 1777, p. 17. — I. Petition to the Ten, September 30th, 1784, as to
slave trade, p. 18-21. - K. Petition of planters and inhabitants of
Essequebo and Demerary to States General June loth, 1785. p. 22 28.
— L. Petitions of the excluded Councillors to the States General, p,
29-37. M. Petition of planters and inhabitants of Demerary to the
Directeur General, February 24th, 1785, p. 38-50. — N. Memorial of the
excluded Councillors of Essequebo and Demerara to the States General,

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 253

p. 51-117 — O. Petition of inhabitants of Essequebo and Demerary to
the Directors of the Company, June ioth, 1785, p. 120-126. -P. Peti-
tion of the same to the Directeur-General, July 18th, 1785, p. 127-138. —
Q. Petition of the same to the same, March 24th, 1785, p. 139-146.

Vol. IV., 1786. Seventh to eleventh letters, February 13th, 1785, to
January 28th, 1786, p. 1-210. Appendices : A. Notes of the Gentle-
man Fiscal, Anthony Meertens, from the Minutes of the Court of Deme-
rary, February 2nd, 1785, p. 1-5. — B. Contra notes of the gentlemen,
Joseph Bourda and P. van Helsdingen, against the notes of the gentle-
man. Councillor Fiscal Meertens, p. o'-io.— C. Minutes of an Ordinary
Policy Meeting held at Fort Zeelandia, October 5th, 1755, p. 11-12. —
D. Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of Justice held at Fort Zeelandia
the 7th of October, 1747, p. 13-14.— E. Extract of a letter from Heer

to Heer at Demerara, 4th September, 1785, p. 15-16. —

Extract from the trading book of a slave vessel, 1780, p. 17-19- — F.
Extract from a letter in English from a merchant in Tobago to a gen-
tleman in Demerary, December 12th, 1785, p. 20-21. — G. Extract trom
the Martinique Gazette of September 30th, 1784, p. 22-25. — H. Con-
tract for a slave-ship going to Demerary, p. 26-30. — I. Account of
expenses of a slave vessel, p. 31-39. — K. Quittance of a slave vessel,
p. 40-

Vol. V., 1786. Observations of the Editor of the Letters of Aristo-
demus and Sincerus, upon the information of the Directors of the
West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, on the Petition and
Memorial of the planters and inhabitants of the Colonies of Essequebo
and Demerary on the interests of these colonies, p. 1-383.— Appen-
dices : A. Information of the Directors of the West India Company,
Chamber of Amsterdam, on the Petition and Memorial of the inhabitants
of Essequebo and Demerary, on the concerns of the same colony, p.
1-22.— B. Letter of the Chamber of Amsterdam to their High Mighti.
nesses, November ioth, 1785, p. 23-26 — C. Letter of the same Cham-
ber to the same, November ioth, 1785^ 27. — D. Resolution of their
High Mightinesses on the same letter, November 16th, 1785, p. 28. — E.
Resolution of the same, December 14th, 1785, p. 29-32. — F. Letter of
the Chamber of Amsterdam to their High Mightinesses, February,
1786, p. 33-36. — G. Copy of a Vendue Account of a certain sale in
Essequebo, p. 37 — H. Report of the meeting at the Hague, in May,
1783, with what pertained thereto, p. 38-59.— Projected plan of Build-
ings to be erected in Demerara, p. 60 61. — Projected plan for settling

254 TlMEHRI.

the Government in Essequebo and Demerara, including its political,
judicial and military affairs, 62-68.- I. Petition of the Commercial
Company, &c, in Zeeland to their High Mightinesses, February 16th,
1786, p- 69-76. — K. Information of the Directors of the West India
Company, Chamber of Zeeland, on the above petition, April 14th, 1786,
p. 77-86. — L. Letter of the Directors of the West India Company,
Chamber of Amsterdam, to their High Mightinesses, July nth, 1786, p.
87-92.

Vol. VI., 1786. Preface by the Editor, p. 1-166. Appendices:
A. Another petition of the planters and inhabitants of Essequebo and
Demerary to their High Mightinesses the States General, p. 1-14. — B.
Extraft from an account of the Armament of a slave vessel trading to
the Gold Coast, p. 15. — Extract from an account of the cargo of the
same, p. 16-18. — C. Petition of owners of plantations in the Agricul-
tural colonies of the States, together with others interested in the slave
trade to their High Mightinesses, p. 19-42. D. Extraft, Resolution of
States General, Oftober 13th, 1786, p. 43-47. — E. Letter of the
Directors of Surinam to the States General, p. 48-51. Twelfth,
thirteenth, and seventh letters, p. 1-158. — Appendices: A. Extract
Resolution of States General, Oftober 25th, 1780, p. 1-5— B 1. Letter of
Direfteur-General and Council of Essequebo, March 9th, 1780, p. 6. —
B 2. Extraft Resolution of States General, Oftober 27th, 1785, p.
7-8. — C 1. Letter of Direfteur General and Councils of Essequebo
and Demerara, March 9th, 1786, p. 9. — C 2. Extraft Resolution of
States General, September 22nd, 1785, p. 10-11. — D. Extraft Resolu-
tion of the same, September 29th, 1785, p. 12-13. — E. Extraft Resolu-
tion of the same, November 1st, 1785, p. 14-16. — F. Letter of
Direfteur-General, Commandeur and Council of Essequebo, March
9th, 1786, p. 17. — G. Extraft Resolution of Representatives and
Direftors of the West India Company, April 23rd. 1779, p. 18-22. — H.
Arret of the Council of State of the King of France as to privileges of
French colonists, &c, Oftober 26th, 1784, p, 23-31.

Vol. VII., 1786. Fourteenth Letter, p. 1-64 —Answer of Sincerus,
p. 65-120. More observations of the Editor on the information of the
Council of Ten of the 2nd October, 1786, on the Petition and Memo-
rial, &c, first part, p. 6-298. Appendices: A. Letter of a Committee
of Direftors of the West India Company to the Council of Ten at
Middelburg, 06tober 2nd, 1786, p 1-41. — B. Extraft Resolution of
States General, Oftober 27th, 1786, p. 42 43. — Table of vessels which

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 255

cleared from Essequebo and Demerary with produce from 1745-1785
with quantities of the different articles.

Vol. VIII., 1787. More observations, &c, second part, p. 1-266. —
Appendices: A. Extradt Resolution of States General, August 6th
and July 28, 1784, p. 1-7.- Letter of the States of Zeeland to those of
Holland on the trade and navigation of Essequebo and Demerary,
August 6th, 1784, p. 8-17. — Letter of the States of Holland in reply,
17-23. — B. Memorial for consideration and elucidation of the planters
on the information of the Chamber of Amsterdam sent to the States
General from Demerary, August 28th, 1787, p. 24 48. — C. Letter to the
Diredteur-General by Joseph Bourda and others, March 25th, 1785, p.
48-50. — D. Extract Minute of an Extraordinary Meeting of Policy,
held at Fort Zeelandia, March 7th, 1785, p. 51-52.— D 1. Plan of
accommodation whereby %the trade and navigation of Essequebo and
Demerara may be free and open to all inhabitants of the State, p.
52-57 — D 2. Short observations on the above plan, p. 58-68. — D 3.
Pro-Memorial serving to refute the consideration of the above plan,
p. 69-87. — D 4. Refutation of the above Pro-Memorial, p. 88-127. —
E. Extradt from the Vaderlandsche Courant of Odtober 4th, 1786,
containing a letter of a gentleman of Middelburg to his friend in
Amsterdam, p. 128-132.

Vol. IX., 1787. Fifteenth to Eighteenth Letters, p. 1-219.— Appen-
dices : A. Letter of the Council of Ten to the governments of all the
Company's establishments in the West Indies, April, 1780, p. 1-4. — B.
Extra6t Resolution of the States General, April 19th, 1780, p. 5-7.— C.
Petition of Edward Latham to the Diredteur-General, February nth,
1786.— D. Publication of the Diredteur-General and Council of Esse-
quebo, April 28th, 1752, p. io-n — E. Extradt Publication of the
same, January 7th, 1766, p 12-13.— G. Publication of the same,
July 22nd, 1771, p. 14 15. — H 1. Letter of the Presiding Chamber
of Zeeland to the Directeur and Council of Essequebo, February 19th,
1770, p. 16-19 — H 2. Petition of planters and inhabitants of Esse-
quebo and Demerary, presented to their High Mightinesses in 1769, p.
2028. — L. Extract of a Journal of two Demerary planters made during
a journey to the River Berbice in 1783, p. 29-40. — A. Short Pro-
Memorial on the information of the Chamber of Amsterdam on the
Memorial of November 1st, 1785, sent to their High Mightinesses, p.
41-54. — B. Observations on the petition of a certain slave trading
house in Zeeland, to their High Mightinesses in regard to free impor-

256 TlMEHRI.

tation of slaves into the colonies, p. 55-68.— C. Observations on a
letter of the West India Company on the same matter, p. 69-112. — D.
Extract from a letter of a book-keeper of a Dutch slave vessel, written
to a gentleman in Demerara, p 113. — E. Petition of planters, &c, to
Directeur-General as to free trade in slaves, 1785, p. 114-123. — F. List of
vessels and names of their captains from 1/45 to 1786, p. 124- 141. —A.
Pro-Memorial to elucidate the differences between the provinces of
Holland and Zeeland in regard to the colonies of Essequebo and
Demerary, p. 145-151.— A. Petition of some planters of Essequebo to
the Directeur-General, September nth, 1769. p. 152-154.— B. Letter
of two Accountants (Commission Agents?) to the Captain of a slave
vessel, May 13th, 1769, containing his instructions for the voyage to
Essequebo with slaves, p. 155-163 — C. to H. Papers on the same
matter, p. 164-184. I. Letter of the Council of Policy to the Chamber of
Zeeland, December 4th, 1746, p. 185- 190. — Account of expenses in
connection with the entry and clearance of a vessel in 1768. — List of
slave vessels that came to the two rivers from 1745 to 1786.

Vol. X., 1787. — Nineteenth Letter, p. 1-130— Third reply of Sincerus,
p. 132-229. — Appendices : A. Letter of the Directeur-General and
Council, June 9th, 1786. — B. Publication of the Governor and Council
of the Court of Government of Berbice, October 9th, 1770, in respect
to land grants, p. 32-34. — C. Publication of the same, on the same
subject, July 1st, 1770, p. 35 37.— D 1. Publication ditto, February
26th, 1784, p. 38-39. — D 2. Notice ditto, June 15th, 1785, p. 40-42 —
E. Acte Van Vergunning (Land Grant) of Berbice, p. 43-49. — F.
Notice ditto, October 14, 1775, p. 50-51. — G. Publication ditto,
December 12th, 1774, p. 52-53. — H. Memorandum of applicants for
land in terms of the Publication of July 1st, 1771, p. 54-55. — I. Ex-
tract Resolution of the Directors of Berbice, 1735 1738, p. 5657. — K.
Oath for the governing Council of Berbice, p. 58 59. — L. Oath for
Council of Civil Justice, Berbice, p 60.— M. Table of Instructions to
the same, p. 61 64. — N. Extract, Minutes of an Extraordinary Meet-
ing of the Court held at Fort Zeelandia, November 9th, 1762, p. 65-66.
— 1-6, Publications referring to land grants in Surinam, p 69-130. —
7 and 8 Petition from Berbice to the States General, in the matter of
certain land grants made by the French having been revoked, 131 -154.
— 9 and 10. French publications as to land grants, &c , in their colo-
nies, p. 155-172.

Vol. XL, 1788. Twentieth Letter, p. 1-270.— Appendices : A. 1-3-

Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 257

Statements of Accounts for 20 hhds sugar, on 50 bags coffee and 3
bags cocoa, p. 3-6. — B. and C. Correspondence as to the prices of
slaves (in English', p. 7-16 — Letter of the Directorate of Surinam to
their High Mightinesses, November 1st, 1786, p. 17-20.

Vol. XII., 1788. Proofs in defence of the planters of Essequebo and
Demerary, by the Dut^h Editor of the Letters on the government ot
the three Colonies, p 1-206. Appendices: A. Letter of the Directors
of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, Janu-
ary 22nd, 1788, p 1-6. — B. Letter of the planters and inhabitants of
Demerary to the Gentleman Directeur General and Fiscal, 1787, p.
7-17 — C. Petition of planters and inhabitants of Essequebo and
Demerary to their High Mightinesses the States General, August 18th,
x7^7» P l&'35 — D. Projected Plan of Redress of the Political and
Judicial Government of the Colony of Essequebo and Demerary, as
found in the Report of the Committee of their High Mightinesses,
deputed to confer with the Directors of the West India Company
P 3656. — E. Petition of merchants, masters of vessels, &c, to the
Honourable Gentlemen, States of Holland and Westfriesland, April
19th, 1787, p. 57-64.

KK

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks.

By N. Darnell Davis.

ANY years ago, in the earliest days of the making
of the Suez Canal, a solitary Frenchman was
observed digging away on the Isthmus. Asked
what he was about, the lonely pioneer made answer, "/
am digging the Suez Canai." Somewhat similar to the
role of that solitary Frenchman is the part now being
played by those earnest men who, scattered far and
wide throughout the British Empire, are working slowly
but surely in the cause of Imperial Federation. These
true patriots have made a beginning of a grand work.
They are, it is hue, merely digging away for the foun-
dations, which must be laid wide and deep in the com-
mon welfare. They can hardly hope to live long enough
to see the completion of the Imperial superstructure.
Nevertheless, animated by the noble enthusiasm which
inspires them, they cease not to proclaim the patriotic
sentiment that Englishmen who go forth to East or West,
to North or South, should remain Englishmen still, and
that, the wide world over, Englishmen should stick to
one another, and to the Old Country, in lasting Union.

In order to insure that Imperial Federation shall be
accomplished in the future, it is necessary that steps be
taken in the present for the consolidation of the outlying
parts of the Empire. In this direction British North
America has led the way by the formation of the
Dominion of Canada. In Australia, thr colonies have
been visibly drawing together in the common interest,

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks. 259

from the time of the convening of the Conference u )on
the N *w Guinea question, in 1883, to the common aclion
taken in 1883 in favour of granting Responsible Govern-
ment to Western Australia. There are unmistakeable
signs in South Arrica that colonies and republics, both,
will ere long join hands, and the tendency thus to com-
bine forces will receive an impetus so soon as Natal
obtains Responsible Government. In the West Indies
alone, of the large groups of colonies, is there stagna-
tion. It is true that, in recent years, a Federal Govern-
ment has been invented for the Leeward Islands, and
that the Islands of St. Kitts and Nevis in that Govern-
ment have together been incorporated into one colony.
It is also true that Tobago has been tacked on to Trini-
dad, with the proviso that the revenue, expenditure, and
debt of each colony shall be kept distinct. The colonists,
however, have but little sympathy with these more or
less official arrangements, and, after all, something
stronger than red tape is needed to hold the Bundle of
Sticks together. An examination into the nature of our
West Indian Polity wi'l convince any thinking person
that the tendency of existing arrangements is to keep
the colonies apart, rather than to draw them together.

When, in February, 1889, the present Governor of
Jamaica, set out from England for his Government, The
Times, supposed to be well-informed in matters
of State, described Sir HENRY Blake as Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of the West Indies. Were it not
for the blighted hopes of several worthy colleagues who
are awaiting promotion to their proper sphere and duty,
one would be inclined to express the hope that The
Times spoke prophetically. Far different, however, is

kk 2

260 TlMEHRI.

the real state of the case There are six distinct and
separate governments in the British West Indian Islands.*
These are the Governments of Jamaica, the Bahama
Islands, Barbados, the Windward Islands, the Leeward
Islands, and of Trinidad, each of which has its own
Governor-in-Chief. Barbados and the Bahamas have
Constitutions of the free-born Englishman kind, survivals
of the old King- Lords-and-Commons type: that is to

* The following statistical details are taken from that useful publica-
tion, Th$ Colonial Office List. The figures are for 1887 : —

Population. Revenue. Expe iditure. Imports. Exports.

£ £ £ £

Jamaica 580,804 590,192 613,960 1,322336 1,509,010

and Turks' Islands 4,732 8,350 6,378 26.727 26,015

Total

585.536

598,542

620.338

1,349,063

i.535,o25

The Bahama Islands

43 521

45.869

43.955

189,456

125,464

Barbados ...

180,000

163,489

154,610

983 187

1.063 397

The Windward Islands —

Grenada...

48.346

46,743

44,804

143.185

217949

St. Lucia

42.300

39>967

43 598

1 1 5 626

117.743

St. Vincent

45,000

29.399
116,109

29,720
118,122

79 702

85770

Total

135.646

338,513

421,462

The Leeward Island;

Ant'gua

35.000

44,032

4o,773

145,227

152,036

Dominica

29,500

I5>7°2

i6,774

46,890

48,105

Montserrat

1 1,000

5803

57i8

27,844

24,216

St. Kitts & Nevis

45,000

40,616

40,180

179.583

223,840

Virgin Islands ...

5,000

1.745

2,088

3,039

4,494

Total

125,500

107,898

io5,533

402.583

452,691

Trinidad ...

183,486

456,167

424 594

1,918,670

1,870,612

and Tobago

20,335

9.387
465 554

6 995
431-589

23.: '7

32.907

Total

203,821

1,941 787

1903.519

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks. 261

say, a Governor with a Council and Assembly. The
Councillors are nominated by the Crown, the Assembly-
men are elected by the people. Different from this old-
fashioned system are the constitutions of tne four other
Governments, which, again, are all different from one
another. Jamaica and the Leeward Islands have each
their Legislative Council, in each case partly nominated
and partly elected, buc, whereas in Jamaica the Governor
presides over the Council with a slight official majority,
in the Leeward Islands the Governor has no seat in the
Council, where the Official and Elective votes are equal
in number. In Trinidad, with which is now coupled
Tobago, the Governor presides over the Council of seven
Officials and nine nominated members. The Govern-
ment of the Windward Islands is for the most part a
political expression. Each little colony preserves its
autonomy, but by Letters Patent the Islands of Grenada,
St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, with their dependencies, have
the same Governor. As if, however, six separate Gov-
ernments were not sufficient, there needs must be subor-
dinate legislatures in some of the colonies. Grenada,
St. Lucia, and St. Vincent not being united, even
Federally, each enjoys a Council all to itself. The
Turks' Islands, an appanage of the Government of
Jamaica, not only have laws made for them by Jamaica,
but have a Council of their own to make more laws forthem.
In the Leeward Islands, besides the Federal Council,
Antigua, Dominica, .Vlontserrat, the Virgin Islands,
and St. Kitts-Nevis, must needs have each a local
legislative council, again of different sorts, to make laws for
its own little self, justas it seems tobe absolutely necessary
for each to have its own postage stamps and its own tariff

262 TlMEHRI.

There are some thirteen different t iritfs in operation
amongst the British West Indian Islands, and the same
number of sets of postage stamps in use, and this where
some of the colonies are within sight of each other on
a fine day. One would expe6i to learn that the Abbe
Sieves, and not Alexander Hamilton, the great Fede-
ralist, had been born in one of these islands.

If the Colonial Policy of Great Britain were adminis-
tered on the principle of divide and govern, one could
understand the peculiar condition of isolation in which
the several West Indian colonies stand towards one
another. Imperial statesmen are, however, openly
favourable to the consolidation of the outlying parts of
the empire, and Secretaries of State have indeed shown
themselves over anxious to secure the confederation of
some of the West Indian Islands. Bygone attempts to force
UNION upon some of these colonies have not forwarded,
but have seriously hindered the good work, so it cannot
be too often enjoined upon those who would ''rush" the
joining together of even two colonies, that Union, Con-
federation, and Imperial Federation, all and each must
grow, and not be forced in their growth, and that they
must grow up amidst the colonists themselves. Th>-re
never was a more earnest, well-intentioned Imperial
Unionist than King GEORGE III., and yet the very vehe-
mence of his objections to the dismembering of the
empire was a main cause of the loss to Great Britain of
a vast Colonial Empire.

The struggle against the system of bounties upon
sugar has laid bare the weakness inherent in the condi-
tion of isolation in which these colonies stand towards
one another. Petition after petition has been addressed

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks. 263

to Parliament by the several islands, but these appeals
have lacked the force which a solid Union of the colonies
would have given to a collective protest. The unfamiliar
names of some of the smaller islands could hardly be
expected to attract the attention of the majority of the
members of the House of Commons. A single petition
from the British West Indies, united together, would, on
the other hand, havp commanded attention : if, indeed,
the West Inaies, when united, would need to make such
an appeal. Since the British North American colonies
joined together in a single commonwealth, Imperial
ministers have found themselves in a position to allow
the Dominion of Canada to adopt its own Commercial
Policy: surely, then, \ Union of the West Indian Islands
would oe allowed to consult its own interests in matters
of trade. As things are, however, we have been plainly
told, what we had already been made to feel, that the
commercial interests of these colonies are to be held in
subj -ction to the commercial interests of the mother coun-
try. Never dd a government try to do a better turn to the
West Indies, than the ministry now in power has
attempted to do, by its efforts to secure the abolition of
the Foreign Bounty system, and yet a minister of the
Cabinet, in a speech aganst that system, openly declared
the subjection of )ur commercial interests to those of
the United Kingdom. Here are the Right Honourable
C. T. Ritchie's own words : —

" What is the position of the West Indian colonies in
this matter? They are debarred by their connection
with this country from making arrangements for the
export of their sugar to foreign markets on terms of
mutual advantage. We will not permit them to do so."

264 TlMEHRI.

The last sentence is no flight of oratory, but the
simple truth, as West Indians know well. Was it not
only so lately as 1885, that these colonies were not per-
mitted to enter into an advantageous convention with
the United States, which had been successfully negotiated
by the British minister at Washington, ably assisted by
Mr. Nevile Lubbock, the Chairman of the West India
Committee ?* And so it has been for more than two cen-
turies. For a long time the West Indies were bound
hand and foot by the Navigation Laws. In the present
century, the necessities of a policy of Free Trade have
admitted slave-grown sugar on the same terms as those
accorded to sugar from the British colonies, where
slavery had been abolished. To-day, the foreign sugars
produced under a system of bounties are admitted on
equal terms with sugar grown in the West Indian Islands
— to the great injury of the latter. It is no sufficient
answer to the West Indian to tell him that the Bounty
system cheapens sugar for the English consumer, and the
sacrifice of the producer in favour of the consumer is a
matter about which the English producer is likely to
have something to say, now that he has a vote. This

* As some of the islands had been old English colonies even before
the Union of Scotland with England, it was far from pleasant for the
islanders to learn, in the earlier stages of the negotiations, that the
British West Indies were not entitled to the most favoured Nation treat-
ment, at the hands of the United States. This disability was the outcome
of the Navigation Laws. When the Commercial Convention of 1815 was
being arranged, the Americans desired to share in the West Indian
trade, but the British Government would not hear of their doing so. In
later years, modifications were from time to time made in this Policy of
Exclusion, and especially so during the Presidency of General Jacksow
until Free Trade finally gave up everything to the Americans, without
relieving the islands from the disability mentioned.

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks. 265

argument of cheapness would make the buying of stolen
goods an honest trade, nay, would even justify the steal-
ing of the goods as the cheapest way of getting them.
If, nevertheless, the Englishman living in England finds
it to his interest to tolerate bounties, why should the
Englishman living in the West Indies, whose interest it
is that sugar shall not be cheap, not have the right
allowed him to make profitable arrangements with the
United States ? It is not practicable, however, for Sec-
retaries of State, in the face of party interests, to risk
an adverse vote in the House of Commons, by allowing
such a right to be exercised by straggling colonies which
cannot themselves fall into line for their common welfare.
A Union of any two or more of these islands would
not be worth much which was not the result of arrange-
ments made by the colonists themselves. Meanwhile,
so long as matters are in the state we find them, it may
be well to consider how far those who have the power
can take steps to pave the way for unification. To all
appearance, no policy of assimilating the administra-
tion of the islands has hitherto been formulated. Now
and again, as in the case of the Law of Quarantine,
there has been some common a6lion in legislation, at
the instance of the Secretary of State. Such instances
are, however, altogether exceptional. Has any one ever
heard of any attempt to frame a Code of law for the
whole group of colonies, or even of any proposal to have
a code of procedure ? So far from any system having
been observed, the authorities in each colony have been
left to follow their own sweet will : and thus it has hap-
pened that colonies which have been captured from
foreign powers have, or have not, assimilated their laws

LL

256 TlMEHRI.

to the law of England. In Trinidad, the Spanish law
bas been superseded by the English, but, in St. Lucia,
the French system of law has not only been retained
but has been reaffirmed by. the Civil Code of that island.*
The want of a set policy is the occasion of lost oppor-
tunities, by leaving matters to be settled according to
the personality of the holders of high offices. Hence, it
is not too much to say that, had the codification of the
laws of St. Lucia not been taken in hand by Sir WlLLIAM
Das VoEUXand Chief Justice Armstrong, who were both
of them members of the Canadian Bar, but by Chief Justice
CARRlNGTON, a member of the English Bar, the laws of
that island would probably have been assimilated to the
English system. Throughoutthe group, thedraftingof laws
is engaging the time and attention (with some help of scis-
sors and paste) of some eight or nine law officers, whereone
ought to suffice : and a word to them from head quarters
would soon bring about an assimilation of the laws of
the various colonies. To improve the administration of
the law, no fitter means could be provided than the
establishment of a West Indian Court of Appeal, the
very coming into existence of which would be a harbin-
ger of Union. On a smaller scale, such a Court of
Appeal has been at work in the Windward Islands for
many years, with high advantage to the administration
of justice among the islanders. By means of it many a
forlorn suitor has obtained a favourable rehearing ol his
cause, who could not have approached the Privy Council,
owing to the vast expense inseparable from an appeal to
that august tribunal. The right of appeal to the Privy

* In Trinidad, assimilation has extended even to the l<aw of Inheri-
tance. (Ordinance 24 of 1845.J

The West Indian Bundle of Sticks. 267

Council should of course be continued, but it will be a
luxury within the reach only of the rich.*

The Imperial Post Office has arranged a common
system for Inter- Colonial and Foreign Mail correspon-
dence, but the existing system of cables for telegraphic
communication cannot be regarded as satisfactory, and
an improvement in it might easily be brought about by
joint a6lion on the part of the colonies concerned. The
penny postage rate should be at once introduced for
Inter-Colonial correspondence, and, although sixpenny
telegrams may not be practicable now, much lower rates
should prevail than do at present, for cable messages
among the islands. The means of internal communica-
tion within the islands themselves should be established
on a thorough system. There should be in each colony,
wherever practicable, a complete network of roads, rail-
ways, mail-coaches, and coasting steamers, for, while
the isolation of island from island is bad, the isolation of
parish from parish is worse. The wires of the telegraph
and telephone should even penetrate into the out-of-the-
way parts of the several colonies.

Since Corsica has given birth to COLUMBUS and
NAPOLEON it would appear that a man may make a
great figure in the world, although born in a small island.
Nay, was not that man of brilliant genius, ALEXANDER
HAMILTON, born in our own islet of Nevis? It is cer-
tain, however, that even men like COLUMBUS, NAPO-
LEON, and HAMILTON, must have a larger stage to play
their parts upon. So, though in a smaller way, with

* The Heirs of the late Mr. H. M. A. Black, spent ^1,875 :— in the
prosecution of their Appeal to the Privy Council, from a judgment of
the Supreme Court of British Guiana.

LL2

-68 The West Indian Bundle of Sticks.

our islanders : to increase their usefulness, it is neces-
sary that those in the Civil Service shall be shifted from
one colony to another as opportunity offers, to
rid them of some of their native insularity, to free
them from local influence, and to widen their
view of men and things.* Not only to the officers them-
selves, and to the Civil Administration, will such trans-
fers be beneficial, but they will be the means of fostering
Union among the colonies by creating new ties amongst
the colonists. In like manner, every opportunity should
be seized for bringing together the public men of the
several islands, whether by conferences or otherwise, and
care should be taken to selecl: unofficials in equal num-
ber with officials, as representatives.

As the question of Defence is at the present time en-
gaging the attention of the authorities, but little need be
said here upon that subject. To those, however, who
are not mere Cockney Colonists, here to day and off
to-morrow, but who are rooted in the islands, it is cer-
tain that all obstacles to the growth of a bold peasantry,
and of a yeomanry as well, ought to be cleared away.
The greater the number of those who become holders of
land, the more numerous will be the "native swords and
native ranks" of the citizen soldiers of the islands.

That there should be some uniformity in the frame-

* The tendency to narrow the outside world down to one's own
standard, which is characteristic of untravelled persons, cannot better
be illustrated than in the case of two gentlemen of Barbados who
visited England for the first time. Landing at Southampton, they put
up at an hotel. On going to bed one of them called a waiter and gave
him the following order: — "Waiter, call me at five o'clock in the
morning. My brother and I will take a ride round the island before
breakfast 1"

TlMEHRl. 269

work of the governments of the islands seems beyond
argument. Any system to be applied hereafter should
be of as liberal a kind as existing circumstances will
admit, while keeping in view its gradual enlargement in
the future, until the time shall arrive when the colonies,
united together, may be granted one legislature for all,
on the plan of those now enjoyed by Barbados and the
Bahamas, if not something better. In new-modelling
the existing multiform system of a single chamber, it
would be well to constitute a Council, to consist of equal
numbers of officials and electives. The eleftives, again,
might be equally distributed between the landlord and
the other interests, by the allotment of half the seats to
the country districts and half to the towns and villages,
and by requiring that country members shall be qualified
by the possession of a fixed number of acres of land in
cultivation, while the representatives of the towns and
villages shall need the qualification of a certain annual
income. Whatsoever be the plan adopted for the future
government of these beautiful islands, let no impious
hand attempt to touch the constitutions of Barbados and
the Bahamas, whose islanders " feed the eternal flame"
of English Liberty, for the political enlightenment of
their neighbours.

Primitive Games.*

By Everard F. im Tkum, M.A.

HE natural history of games, in spite of a very
few brilliant essays which have been produced
on the subject, chief of which is Dr. E. B.
Tylor's Royal Institution Lecture of the 14th of March,
1879, published in the Fortnightly Review for May of that
year, to which essay I shall have frequent need to refer,
is still very obscure. The subject as a whole has not, to
the best of my belief, been put even into rough order.
When some two years ago, in connection with the games
of the Indians of Guiana, I began to turn my attention
to the subject, and when I applied to various friends and
correspondents, Dr. TYLOR in England, Dr. GATSCHET,
Mr. Henry Phillips, Jun., and Mr. MacFarlane
DAVIS in America, for information, all of these gave
me more or less help, some very important help ; but I
found that the term " games," in its modern and usual
intention, does not express with sufficient extension and
definition all that should be included under it when
used, as here, to express a subject for study. Yet it is
difficult to find, I have failed to find, a better term. One
correspondent, in answer to my complaint of this difficulty,

* Some of the descriptions of Guiana games here given I have
already printed at various times in the Demerara Argosy ; but I think
they may well take their place in this collection of more permanent
form, and I have even thought it well to republish them much in the
same words as those in which they were told before — for these narra-
tives were written down by me either as the games proceeded or within
an hour or two after, and therefore doubtless have some additional
vividness.

Primitive Games. 271

kindly noted down the following wealth of synonyms: —
amusements, diversions, entertainments, sports, games,
relaxations, play, merry-making, frisks, and frolics. But
no one of these taken by itself seems to me better than
the word "games ;" and even the whole list collectively
does not by any means cover all that is required. Anthro-
pologists seem to me either unusually liable to suffer
from the insufficiency of adequate terms or to be pecu-
liarly non-inventive in supplying this defecl:. That one
equally terrible and unavoidable word " savage," used
to express a man in an uncivilised state (it really, by the
way, means a woodman or man of the silvage) has never
yet been replaced by anything more satisfactory. As, in
default of a better, we still use the word "savage," so,
equally in default of a better, I must here continue to
use the word "games." Hence it is necessary to define
the meaning of this latter word as here used; but this
definition itself is no easy task.

A game is any exercise of any of the bodily or mental
faculties without any other purpose than, either the mere
enjoyment of the exercise or (2) of developing the
faculties exercised, or (3) of exciting a fervid state of
mind, the latter generally for religious purposes.

I do not, on this occasion, intend to examine or prove
the truth of this definition. I only wish to point out
that it includes not only all that in common thought we
class under the name 'games' but also dances in all their
many forms, uncivilized and civilized, non-religious
and religious; games of imitation whether, as in the case
of many children's games, of the doings of their elders or,
as in many games both of children and adults, of the doings
of animals ; games of endurance, and many others.

272 TlMEHRI.

Probably one of the simplest games of all, one which
has originated again and again, spontaneously among
almost all people, is ball-play. And the development of
this most simple game has been marvellously great, greater
perhaps than in the case of any other game. At different
times and in different places, ball-play has become asso-
ciated with the rhythmic movements of the dance.
Ulysses, wrecked and cast up by the sea on the shores
of Phceacia, watched from his hiding place the rhythmic
ball-dance, accompanied by song, of Nausicaa and her
fellow Greek maidens. And to this day, though the use
of the ball has long been dissociated from the more
civilized forms of dance and song, we still speak of cer-
tain forms of dances as balls and ballets, and of certain
songs as ballads.*

Disassociated from the dance, the simple game of ball-
play has developed, when, as Dr. TYLOR well expresses

it, the passion of play arose, in quite other directions
through polo into hockey, and thence into the innumer-
able games which are more or less familiar to us, as
stool-ball, pall-mall, croquet, foot-ball, cricket, and
tennis.

It must be taken on trust, at least for the present,
that each, at any rate of the earlier stages in these lines
of development of ball-play, has been brought about by
some great change in the circumstances of the players.
And more often than not this great change has probably
been a migration from the old to some distant new
quarters. Consequently, phases of this ball-play, in a
greater or less degree of development, have to be looked
for all over the world and among all people Ball-play,

* See Tylor, Fortnightly Review, May, 1879, p. 737.

Primitive Games. 273

except in its simplest form, is therefore an artificial
game as distinguished from a natural game, which latter
may be defined as a game, such as ball-play in
its simplest form, which has originated spontane-
ously among the people who now play it, and has
not been derived from any other people or been developed
from any game imported from elsewhere.

We thus come to the one great division which has as
yet been made in the classification of games; and
according to it all games are divisible into the two great
classes of natural and artificial games. The latter are,
of course, much the most numerous and the most pro-
minent ; and it is consequently these which have been
almost exclusively studied by the few who have turned
their attention to the whole subject of the natural history
of games. On the other hand, it happens that our
Red-men are still in that condition in which artificial
games are entirely, or almost entirely, unrepresented.
Their games are natural games, and are therefore valu-
able as material to be used in the comparative study, as
yet almost unattempted, of natural, as distinguished from
artificial games.

Most of the children's games, for we will deal with
these first, are dramatic representations either of the
doings of their adult friends or of animals. Just as in
our own civilized society we constantly see children
playing at marrying, and burying, and preaching, and at
coaching — in a church paper which I happened to glance
at the other day I even saw a serious complaint made
that parents are allowing their children to play at "Jack
the Ripper," — so do the Macoosi children about the Paca-
raima Mountains play at "coming from town." It must

MM

274 TlMEHKI.

be explained that a visit to town is a very rare event,
falling to the lot of but very few of these remote Indians,
and when it does happen making a correspondingly deep
impression on their minds. When such journeys do
occur a principal feature in them is the purchase and
bringing home of a number of small articles to which
the travellers take a fancy. So this important event
has given rise to a game.

All but two of the players, seated on the ground, the
one behind the other and each clasping the player in
front of him, form a long line, which, by the motion of
the feet and thighs of its members, drags itself slowly
forward, the whole swaying from side to side, and in
some mysterious way closely imitating the forward roll-
ing motion and noise of a long and well-manned canoe.
Then the two players not included in the canoe — these
two alone not having been to town — pass down, one
on each side of the line, and as they come to each squat-
ting figure seize the feet and make the owner of the foot
name some objeft that he is supposed to have purchased for
each toe — a razor it may be for the big toe, a gun for the
next, cloth for the next, hair oil for the next, and a
"chimney-pot" hat for the little toe. The greater the
imagination shown in the choice of goods, and the
greater the incongruity of these, the louder are the
shouts of laughter from the spectators.

When each player has given an account of his pur-
chases the game is extended in a way and to an extent
which might apparently be indefinite. First, rain over-
takes the travellers — that is, the two detached players
seize a long pole, each by one of its ends, and
applying this to one side of the line of squatting tra-

Primitive Games. 275

vellers, force the whole lot of them over on their sides
on to the ground, as heavy rain lays long grass. Next,
the travellers turn over so that they lie no longer on
their sides but flat on their backs, but still in line. Then
the two home-stayers hold the pole longitudinally over
the nearest of the prostrate travellers, and he seizing the
pole with his fingers and toes is carried across the play-
ground and placed, still flat on his back, in another
place. Then the next is lifted in the same way and
ranged side by side with the first ; and this is continued,
two sometimes being carried on the pole at once, until
the whole line of travellers has been removed and
deposited in the original regular order in a new place.
This is portaging the boats and goods overland to
avoid the worst falls on the homeward journey.
Next the two home-stayers, one ajter the other, run
quickly along the line, finding room for their feet in
among the legs of the prostrate travellers, who it must be
remembered are placed as closely as possible the one
beside the other, and who endeavour vainly, by the
movements of their legs, to upset the runners. The
boat is being guided through the intricate system of
rocks which in the dry season block the stream. Then
the home-stayers, taking each traveller in turn by
the head, raise the perfectly stiffened bodies on to
their feet. As soon as this has been accomplished
each individual in the line falls forward on to his
hands and feet, his thighs the highest part of him, Thus
the whole line of players forms with their closely
pressed bodies a long tunnel through which each player
in turn has to creep as best he may, as a canoe through
a tree-arched creek.

M M 2

276 TlMEHRI.

The following are some Macoosi children's dramatic
representations of the doings of animals: — In the
kaikoosi, or jaguar dance, all but three of the players
form one long procession, each player with his hands on
the shoulders of the one immediately in front of him,
and then the whole procession winds here and there,
with rhythmic sway of bodies from side to side, and
with rhythmic monotonous chanting of the words " Kai-
koosi brahma celeribe." (" There is no jaguar here to-
day.") Then from the encircling crowd of onlookers
breaks a player, one of the three omitted from the pro-
cession, and he, moving on his two hands and one leg —
the other leg held high in the air to represent a tail — is
the jaguar whose task it is to catch the hindermost
member of the procession before its leader, encumbered
by his followers, can turn and face the dangerous beast,
and then to carry him off and place him among the
spectators. One thus caught and placed, the next has
to be caught also, and so on until all the members of the
procession have been removed to the jaguar's lair among
the spectators. The two other players not involved in
the procession are two small boys who, on 'all-threes,'
imitate the jaguar cubs, running here and there after
the full-grown kaikoosi, doing nothing else, but adding
considerably to the picturesqueness of the scene.

In the monkey dance all form in single file and move
in procession, but very quickly, and with ever quicker
and quicker movement until a considerable pace is
attained ; they wind round and round the open space, and
across and across it, till, at a sudden and unexpected
signal from the leader, the line is in an instant broken,
and, so quickly that it is impossible in the half-light to

Primitive Games. 277

see the thing done, each player has a smaller player, or
two, on his shoulders, and all are chattering, and squeal-
ing and gesticulating, and running without order hither
and thither, but none ever passing far from the
central troop which they form. It is a curiously close
imitation of a troop of monkeys when sometimes
these are of a sudden alarmed and angered.

Another game represents an acoorie in a pen and the
attempts of a jaguar to get him out of it. The
players form a ring, their faces inwards, their arms
round each other's necks. Inside the circle thus formed
one player crouches, as an acoorie inside a pen. Out-
side the pen another player watches ; it is the jaguar
looking with hungry eye on the acoorie. He tries to
get the acoorie out between the bars of its pen — that is
between the legs of the circle of players. But the living
pen whirls round and round ; and it is long before the
jaguar succeeds in grasping the acoorie and dragging it
out.

A flock of vicissi duck resting on the ground in a
close-packed, irregular-shaped group, is well imitated in
another game. The leading duck, at some supposed
sign of danger, starts the whole flock, which now darts
backward and forward in straight duck-like flights in
among the houses, all the players imitating the curious
characteristic whistling of the vicissi.

Again, one player only remaining detached, a pro-
cession forms and moves. The single player, continu-
ally moving too, ever faces the leader of the file, until,
with the cry of a hawk, he runs down one side of the
file to seize the hindmost of its members, each one of
whom, as though startled by the sudden cry, crouches

278 TlMEHRI.

down behind his front man, as a chicken behind its
mother, and only the hindmost man runs up the line, on
the opposite side to the hawk. If he is quick enough
to effect this uncaught, he is safe for that time ;
otherwise he is carried off and placed among the
onlookers. And this is continued until the whole
brood of chickens has been captured by the hawk.

Or, all but one of the • players squat on the
ground, each behind his neighbour and clasping his
neighbour's neck with his arm, and all forming a long
line. The one man left out, representing an ant-eater,
creeps up to the foremost man and, after scratching on
the ground with his hands, seizes the foremost player by
his feet, throws him over his shoulders and so conveys him
head downward, across the playing ground and places
him among the spectators. This is no easy task when
it is a well-grown boy who is carried off; and even
when small boys are carried strength is displayed by
carrying off two of the victims at a time. It is an ant-
eater supplying himself with ants.

Again, one boy squats in the centre of the playing
ground while all the others dance round him in wild
disorder and confusion, buzzing like a swarm of wasps,
and each one occasionally darting forward and rumpling
the hair of the sitter or otherwise worrying him. Mean-
while the single player bears this in patience and without
notice until he sees his chance, when, with the eagerness
of a man who sees and uses his opportunity of catching and
slaying a wasp which has long worried him, he seizes
and disposes of each one of his tormentors. And in this
way the doings of many other animals are represented.

Again, some children's games are simply exhibitions

Primitive Games. 279

of animal spirits without any dramatic element. For
example, all but one join hands and dance round in a
large circle within which stands the one player omitted
from the ring. This solitary player dashes hither and
thither, throwing himself against the enclosing wall,
till at last he finds a weak point and breaks out.

And yet another, of a simple kind, consists merely in
forming a procession, each man tightly clasping the
waist of the man in front of him, which procession
moves forward with the usual rhythmic stamp and song
until suddenly and without notice some of the hinder-
most begin to pull back, so that the foremost are either
pulled backward, without moving the soles of their feet
from the ground, or show their ability to hold their
ground. Or, in another variety of this amusement, the
leader of the procession moves suddenly and without
warning backward, trying to upset the hindermost.

Though the games as yet described are played gen-
erally by children, I have seen the young men join most
heartily in every one of them. And among the Arawaks
grown men and women, as well as children, play some-
what similar and equally simple games of imitation. The
trumpet-bird or warracaba game is simplicity itself; and
yet no one who knows the habits of the trumpet-bird* could
fail to recognize what is being imitated. The players in
single file, each with his or her hands on the shoulders
of the player next in front, march and hop round and
ab.Qut the settlement, entering and prying everywhere,
emerging from the most unexpected directions, always
imitating the curious booming note of the warracaba.

* Psophia crepitans.

280 TlMEHRI.

A monkey dance, too, I have seen adult Arawaks
delightedly perform. It was distinguished among their
games by unusually rough fun, and certainly seemed
exciting. The players formed in line as in the warra-
caba dance. And then the file, thus formed, simply
rushed everywhere, sometimes over the roofs of the
houses, tearing off bits of thatch and pretending to chew
them, often up and along the rafters of the house, tear-
ing and throwing down all the many small properties
which the Indians there store, into the kitchen, upsetting
the pot, devouring or destroying aM food that came in
the way, driving out the women who were baking bread,
scattering the fire ; and all the while chattering and
grinning as vehemently as any troop of real monkeys.
The women who were not playing scuttled at the very
sight of the coming troop. The old man of the settle-
ment and his wife, in real anxiety for their goods, tried
to protect what they could, tearing it even out of the
monkeys' hands, or throwing food to the monkeys to dis-
tract their attention from more valuable properties. At
last the old man, with the help of one or two bystanders,
secured the more violent of the players, and, despite
some too genuine scratchings and bitings, managed to
tie them up with ropes to the posts of houses. At last
five had been so caught and tied in one house ; and then,
if there had been uproar before, there was pandemonium
now. The captives screamed and shrieked and
yelled; they rolled as far as their cords would allow,
and tore with their teeth everything that came in their
way : food, clothes, hammocks, pans, and calabashes.
It was with difficulty I preserved a young chicken which
one monkey had seized ; and my camera, which unfor-

Primitive Games. 281

tunately was standing bv, had to be most closely guarded.
One monkey I even saw taking in, and spitting out,
mouthfuls of salt and then of red peppers (Capsicums).
At last, everything within reach having been either des-
troyed or removed, the captives took to fighting each
other, in one heaving heap of humanity. And the whole
mighty uproar only ceased when all were literally too
tired to do more. Then rest and refreshment, in the
shape of paiwarie, followed — and the usual good humour
reigned everywhere.

The whipping game, called macquari, of the Arawaks
is a very curious performance, to the most essential fea-
ture of which, the mutual whipping, I know of no exact
parallel from among any other people. If, as seems pro-
bable, the origin of the game is due to a natural instinct
of primitive man tending to the cultivation and exhibition
of a habit of endurance of physical pain, analogies may
be drawn between this game and all of the many habits
of self-torture practised, and most stoically endured, by
almost all people below a certain stage of civilization.
A glance at a picture in Vol. I., p. 169, of " Catlin'S
North American Indians" — which picture, I may warn
those of weak nerves, is of rather a blood-curdling
nature — will suffice to give an idea of the extent to
which this habit of self-torture has, among certain
people, been carried. But I am not aware that elsewhere
than among the Arawaks this habit has taken the par-
ticular form of extremely severe mutual whipping carried
on simultaneously with extreme jollification.

Before describing the game, I must allude to the fact
that both Brett and Schomburgk write of it as in
some sort a funeral rite, as only practised in celebration,

NN

282 TlMEHRI.

or in commemoration, of some important dead Arawak.
I have never been able to gain confirmation of this state-
ment.* It is true that the game is very rarely practised
now; and that there are but very few Arawaks alive who
have retained by tradition the correct form and ritual of
the ceremony. It is also true that in SCHOMBURGK'S
time, and even in Brett's time (which, be it remem-
bered, so far as his intimate relations with Indians are
concerned, came to an end more than thirty years ago)
the game must have been much more frequently prac-
tised. Their chance of obtaining information was there-
fore better than any that can now be had. But if the
game really was a funeral rite it seems to me strange
that within one generation all knowledge of this has
died out from the minds of the Arawaks. Furthermore,
there is a circumstance connected with the game which
may easily have misled the earlier writers. A grave is
prepared before the game begins; and in this grave, at
the conclusion of the game, a burial does take place,
attended by all the players. But the thing buried is not
a corpse, but is the apparatus of the game, the whips and
whistles which have been used and which are then cere-
moniously buried, to be dug up and used — all that is left
of them, with the addition of whatever new material
may be requisite — when the game is again to be played.
As in almost all the other games of the Indians of
Guiana, the macquari is carried on with much drinking
of paiwarie, and has, at least in these latter days,

* The late Rev. C. D. Dance, in his valuable if somewhat ill-arranged
" Chapters from a Guianese Log-book," attributes a funeral purpose to
the macquari game, though without giving any important evidence of the
fact. In a later part of these notes I shall make opportunity to use
further this and other notes on games by Mr. Dance.

Primitive Games. 283

developed into a regular paivvarie orgie. Probably it
was always so. The headman of the place where the
macquari is to be held sends out, long before the day
appointed, his invitations, each guest being given a
knotted string or a notched stick, the knots or the
notches on which represent the number of days before
the game. The time appointed is, as indeed in all their
games and dances, when the moon will be full ; for the
proceedings are carried on steadily through day and
night.

As regards the instruments to be used, I think, but
am not quite sure, that the hosts always make and sup-
ply these. Possibly, however, the guests make and
bring their own share.

Of chief importance are the whips. The essential
parts of each of these consist of the handle, which is a
stout stick, some 20 inches long and perhaps 1^ inch in
diameter, and the lash from 2 to 2^ feet long, which is
made of a bundle of parallel strands of the remarkably
tough fibres of the silk-grass, round which is very tightly
and closely bound more, this time heavily bees-waxed,
silk-grass : the whole forming as severe a cutting imple-
ment as any single lash could. But over these essential
parts of the whip is put a thin covering, by way of orna-
ment, of the far weaker uncleaned fibre (tibisiri) of the
aeta palm (Mauritia flexuosa) ; and this latter is extended
and allowed to hang loose so as to make a sort of orna-
mental tassel at either end of the handle. At intervals of
about an inch, all along the lash, the tibisiri fibre is bound
tightly in with short lengths of bees-waxed silk-grass, thus
adding, as it were, to the already severe lash the additional
severity of a number of knots. Finally, by way of

N N 2

284 TlMEHRI.

ornament, the loose tassels of the tibisiri fibre are stained
red, and a touch or two of other colour is sometimes
added by tying on a few bright feathers.

In the above description the essential parts of the
whip have been carefully distinguished from the orna-
mental. It will easily be understood, remembering the
nature of the materials used for these two parts, that the
former, the handle and the lash, are of a very tough and
enduring nature, while the mere ornamental parts are of
very perishable nature. When, therefore, after the
game is lor the time over, the whips — or some of them,
for I think only a few are ever so treated — are buried,
the ornamental parts must quickly decay, while the
handle and lash endure. It is these latter which are dug
up on the occasion of the next playing of the game and are
then, under the name of " macquari grandfathers"
(Macquareetchi) , placed (I am not sure that they are
actually used on this second occasim) among the whips
to be then used,

It is as though the vitality of the sport were preserved
from occasion to occasion ; as if the macquari of one
generation, reduced we. might almost say to skin and
bone, looked on, as a grandfather might, at the play of
the macquaries of the next generation — surely a curious
and characteristic idea, arid one which may obviously
have given rise to the idea that the game has the nature
of a funeral rite.

Two wooden whistles are made, about three inches long,
roughly carved and painted to resemble plovers — whistling
birds be it remembered. These are, 1 think, used by the
two chief male players More of these instruments may
sometimes be made and used, but I know of no case.

Primitive Games. 285

Whips and whistles are essential implements to the
macquari game. Whether the other instruments which I
have now to describe are also essential, or whether they
really belong to some other game, perhaps more than
one, which has in some way, now-a-days, got mixed up
with the macquari, I know not. But I have seen the
following all used.

The honore — named from the Arawak name for the
heron (Ardea cocoi) — is also a rough, very rough,
wooden representation of a bird. It is used always by
the women, and sometimes by the men, in place of the
macquari whip — the blow given with it being of course
merely formal and not severe.*

A large bundle of seta fibre is tied up to imitate the
shape, in natural size, of a sloth. The two front limbs
of this creature are tied together at the toes, in such a
way that when the loop thus made is slipped over the
neck of one of the players it hangs down his back like a
sloth hanging by its front legs round his neck. The idea
which underlies this is obscure to me, unless, as
seems possible, it attributes a sort of badge of dis-
grace to any player who may in some way be a defaulter
in the game.

Rattles, or shak-shaks, made of small round gourds,
enclosing some pebbles, are mounted at the end of very long
sticks (8 or 9 feet) and are adorned with tassels of seta fibre.
One of these is provided for each female player.

* Mr. Dance, in his Guianese Log-book already quoted, page 273,
alludes to the " Honora — the crane or heron dance" as distinct from the
macquari. He may be right ; and, in that case, it must be understood
that the honore element which I saw in the macquari was only
accidentally mixed up with the true ritual of the latter game,

286 TlMEHRI.

For most of the other games observed, special clothing,
scanty but appropriate, is provided. For the macquari
I have noticed only one such preparation, which is that
the women cover their heads with small pieces of white
natural cotton fibre. But as the Arawaks are by far the
most civilized of our tribes, and have, with very few ex-
ceptions, almost invariably adopted shirt, trousers, and,
in the case of the women, ordinary dresses, we may sup-
pose that the tradition of the appropriate dress for the
macquari has been lost.

When, in addition to the things already mentioned, a
sufficient quantity of paiwarie has been prepared, all is
ready for the game, which will last for a day and night
or more, according as the paiwarie lasts out.

The guests arrive the afternoon before the first day of
the regular dance. As they arrive they are met at the
waterside by the hosts, provided with whips. The guests
stand to be whipped, and, in turn, the whips being
handed over to them for that purpose, whip their hosts.
So, whipping and being whipped in turn all the way, the
procession moves up to the houses.*

Before daylight the next morning the women are astir,
and hand to each player a small calabash of paiwarie
which has been especially prepared twenty-one days be-
forehand. Now paiwarie is undrinkable the first two
days after it is made: is in perfection on the third; and
rapidly deteriorates after. As a rule no one would think
of drinking paiwarie more than four days old. But on

* I remember overhearing in a discussion as to which of two settle-
ments should be the scene of an intended macquari dance, an argument
put forward that one of the two was much more suitable as being
furthest from the waterside and therefore allowing more scope for their
initial whipping.

Primitive Games. 287

this occasion each player takes a dose of thoroughly
spoiled paiwarie and — it is perhaps hardly necessary to
throw light on what goes on under cover of the darkness
that morning, but before dawn each player feels within
himself a void which only a great quantitv of fresh pai-
warie can fill.

Soon after play begins. At first chiefly the men take
part in it — though after a time some of the women occa-
sionally break into the line and take part. At first too
the proceedings are more like that of an ordinary pai-
warie dance, the players standing opposite to each other
in two lines, their arms round each other's necks or waists,
and these two lines approach and retreat from each other
with much rhythmic stamping. Suddenly this play is
abandoned and the real business of the macquari begins.
This may be said to take chiefly two forms, alternating,
in the first of which only the men take part, while the
women share in the second.

In the former, in which the really serious business
takes place, two lines of men and boys stand facing each
other, each provided with a whip, and the two at one
end having the two whistles. The members of the
opposite rank stamp rhythmically at each other, all keeping
up a constant shouting of Yau-au (like au in German
Frau), all waving their whips. Suddenly the two with
the whistles pass down from their end, between the
lines, to the opposite end, the two lines meanwhile
moving up in an opposite direction. More stamping
follows ; and then the two whistlers begin excitedly
whistling at each other. This is done with the most
comical vehemence, the two holding their heads in oppo-
site directions to each other while whistling, and each of

288 TlMEHRI.

these at regular intervals reversing the direction in
which his head is held. Then takes place for the first
of many times what I may call a complimentary whip-
ping. Each man raises his whip high over his head and
brings it down with a great show of force and violence,
as though bent on cutting open the calf of the opposite
player's leg; as a matter of fac/t, however, the stroke
ends in the merest, gentlest, flick of the leg. After that
the whistlers rush back, as they came, to their original
positions at the other end of the line. These proceed-
ings are repeated several times, till at last the lines break
up, and the women at once bring round to each player
calabashes of paiwarie. But it is also now that the
serious business of the thing begins, any pair, or any
pairs of the players, challenging each other to a real use
of the whip.

The two challengers stand apart. One puts forward
his leg, planting it firmly ; generally he turns his back
and consequently his calf towards his opponent, but
sometimes faces him exposing his shin. The opposite
man stoops and stretches out his whip so as carefully to
measure the distance to which the lash will reach ; then,
rising, he carefully poises it over his head — and flogs, one
single stroke, but with all his might and main. The crack
is like a loud pistol shot. The first time I saw and
heard the blow given; seeing not the slightest flinching
of the recipient's body, not a twitching of his lips, I
was fully persuaded that there was some trick in the
thing, that the blow was little or nothing else than mere
sound and fury. Expressing something of this, the
flogged man turned toward me his calf, and right across
it, extending nearly round on to the shin, was a bleeding

Primitive Games. 289

gash. The stroke having been given the two players at
once began to dance against each other for a few seconds,
the flogged man during this shouting out au, the flogger
yau. Then the same man receives a second stroke,
which is sometimes, apparently according to a rapidly
made sign, a second serious stroke like the first, some-
times a merely complimentary stroke. Then follows
another few seconds of dancing and shouting. Then
the one who flogged before is now flogged in the same
way, either only the first or both strokes being serious
according as were those he had infli6ted. Then the two
return to the body of players, in the best of humours,
hang up their whips, go to the paiwarie trough and
drink together.

The whole business, the two lines of dancers, the
pairs of challengers, and the flogging, are repeated again
and again throughout the day and night; and, if the pai-
warie lasts out, throughout the next day and the next
night, and sometimes, I am told, yet longer. From time
to time all the players, men and boys alike, give and take
their share of blows, some, however, being more eager than
others for this part of the entertainment ; in proportion,
as it seemed to me, to the skill which each attributed to
himself in scientifically and forcibly infli6ling the cuts.
Watching with the greatest care, I have never de-
tected the slightest flinching or sign of dread of the
blow, nor any sign of ruffled temper. Yet I have
seen men, and even small boys, after twelve hours of
this work, with their calves so cut about, that they
could not put their feet to the ground without pain ;
and in the case of one boy, whom I took into my
service immediately after one of these performances,

00

290 TlMEHRI.

the scars lasted for many months. I may add that the
two challengers are in all cases suitably matched, boys
challenging boys, and men challenging opponents worthy
of their lash.

But the performance so far described is occasionally
slightly varied, and it is in this second form that
the women take part. It seems a milder, perhaps a later,
form of the genuine whip game ; and it seems itself
to admit of a good deal of variation. The women who take
part in it are armed, not with whips, but each either with
the long shak-shak or rattle, which has already been des-
cribed, or with the wooden figure of a heron. The leader
of the men also has one of these wooden birds in place
of his more usual whip. Two lines are formed, the men
and women standing indiscriminately, facing each other.
These two lines make the usual series of advances and
retreats to and from each other, those players who have
whips shaking these, those who have rattles shaking these,
by hitting the stick part of them at regular intervals
with their disengaged hands; and those who have
honores shake these at each other. Then a pause is
called, the players, men and women alike, put forward
their calves and each receives, either with whip or hon-
ore, a quite gentle tap, a complimentary stroke as I have
called it elsewhere. Sometimes too, the players, instead
of dancing opposite to each other in two opposing lines
within the house, vary the proceedings by marching
round and round the house in double-filed procession,
stopping from time to time to give and take the compli-
mentary strokes. Then follows the usual paiwarie
drinking.

A curious dance in which the macquari whips are also

Primitive Games. 291

used, indeed it is perhaps but a figure of the genuine
macquari dance, is as follows. On the ground in the
centre of the dancing place lies a flat square board, of
perhaps two feet square. Two old women, or an old
man and a woman, rarely two young persons, squat oppo-
site to each other with this board between them. Each
is provided with a rough wooden figure of a man, called
warrau, which word as thus used by the Arawaks
signifies " barbarian," i.e., a person not an Arawak, or
sometimes in place of this warrau each has a bundle of a
few straight sticks from two to three feet long. Whichever
instrument is used, it is beaten by each player on the board
to a sort of rough tune and with an accompaniment of
rhythmic chanting.* The words of this chant, as I am
assured, are now unintelligible nonsense ; frequent refer-
ence is, however, evidently made to the ourana, orlabba-
In a circle outside these beaters of time stand a few,
apparently rarely more than four or six, of the young men.
Each of these is provided with his macquari whip, which
he holds by its two extreme ends, his arms being thus
outstretched to their full span. The extreme end of the
lash, held in the left hand, is pointed toward the centre
of the circle and is held so as almost to touch the ground ;
the opposite end, held in the right hand, is held as high
as may be from the ground. Thus the bodies of the
circle of dancers are all inclined inward, the lashes of

* In Nature, for September 5th, 1889, it is stated that the Mincopies
have but one musical instrument, which consists " merely of a hard-
wood board, of special shape, which is used for sounding a rhythmical
time for dancing. It is used only as a musical instrument, and so illus-
trates a step in advance of the Australian, who taps with a stick upon
his 'casting board' for the same purpose, without employing a separate
instrument."

002

292 TlMEHRI.

their whips pointing to a common centre, at which
lies the square board. Suddenly, at a signal from
the time-beaters in the centre, and always in time
with this beating, the men come forward with a curious
little running motion, and the circle contracts. The
time-beaters beat on, now faster, now slower ; and
as they beat, the circle of dancers round them ad-
vance and retreat, faster or slower; and, as they dance,
in constant alternation the points of the whips are
now raised toward the sky, so that the men's figures
are bent backward out of the circle, now are turned, as
at first described, down toward the ground. Descrip-
tion entirely fails to give any idea of the curious grace-
fulness of this measured swaying backward and forward
of bodies, and of the unusual grace and unusual activity
of these dancers.

After a time the women occasionally break in and in-
crease the circle of dancers, to the destruction both of
the gracefulness and, it must be said, rapidity of the dance.
The Warrau game, called taratoo, in which the most
marked feature is that each player is provided with a
large shield made of palm-leaf stalks, is both, as far as I
know, unrecorded as played by any other people, and is
remarkable for certain features peculiar to it. Chief
of these are, that it is the only game, except mere
children's games, known to me which is not accompanied
by drinking, and that there is a real element of conten-
tion in it, in that it is used as a practical means, a trial
by ordeal, of settling disputes which may have arisen
between distinct groups of Warraus, generally between
two groups, respectively occupying adjacent rivers or
creeks.

Primitive Games. 293

The absence of drinking may, perhaps, be explained
in this way. The usual fermented liquor used in the
Indian games of Guiana is either paiwarie or casiri, both
of which are the ordinary everyday drink, one might
almost say meat and drink, of all the Indians of Guiana
except the Warraus. The latter — of course I speak of
them now in their natural state, in which they are now
only found, in British Guiana, near the mouths of the
Barima and Amakooroo rivers — have never risen to the
level, if I may so speak, of a good drink ; they live, appar-
ently, curiously uncomfortable lives, hidden away be-
tween the mud and the gloom, in dense aeta palm swamps
at the edge of the sea. The ground there is nowhere
dry enough for the growth of cassava; agriculture, even
in the simple form practised by the other tribes, is un-
attempted and is indeed impossible ; and consequently
the great food-supply which the other tribes use, in the
form of cassava bread and paiwarie, is unattainable and
unused by the Warraus. They seem indeed, in their
purely natural state, which is perhaps no longer exhibited
anywhere, unless on some of the more remote and intri-
cate windings of the mouths of the Orinoco, to have
been in little more enviable a state than the Digger
Indians of California or the Fuegians, generally accounted
the most miserable of human beings. Even game is very
scarce in the sea adjacent swamps where live the Warraus,
who use instead fish and crabs. But one food supply
they have, of a marvellously all-sufficient, if unsatisfac-
tory, character, the asta palm (Mauritia flexuosa) ;
and on this, if we except the fish and crabs, they
live exclusively. The pith of the aeta palm and the
pulp round the fruits of the same tree serve them as

294 TlMEHRI.

bread-stuff ; the fermented sap of the aeta palm alone seems
to save them from quite always quenching their thirst with
water. For some reason, possibly with a natural and wise
instinct for the preservation of the palms, which are so
much to them, they only sparingly use this liquor —
the drawing of which means the destruction of the
natural cask, that is the death of the tree. Unlike the
other Indians, the Warraus, therefore, are not naturally
habituated to the incessant use of fermented liquor;
and for this reason it is perhaps that, also unlike the
other Indians, they do not use it at their national game.

It is a curious fact, of which I make a present to the
teetotalers — though I do not think it would be safe for
them to theorize too much about it — that the energy,
emulation, and excitement shown by the Warraus in
their liquorless game, is at least equal to that shown by
the paiwarie-filled game-players of other tribes.

The second remarkable feature of the shield-game is
that it serves as a trial by ordeal. The Warraus of one
river are accused, say, by the Warraus of a neighbour-
ing river, of having stolen some pots, or some other such
offence. The dispute between the two parties waxes
hot. But instead of an interchange of blows, the head-
men of the two parties meet ; and these two arrange
that their followers shall assemble at some appointed
place, and at a date sufficiently far ahead to allow of due
preparation, and shall then fight it out — or play it out. A
tree is chosen ; and on one and the other side of this tree
each of the two captains respectively make a number of
marks indicating the number of days before the strife.
They make the tree look — as one civilized Warrau once
picturesquely described to me — like a newspaper. The

Primitive Games. 295

two parties now return each to their own homes, and
there occupy themselves until the day of strife in the pre-
paration of their shields and of as much in the way of body
ornaments as the simple means at their disposal allows.
After the strife, it may be as well here to say, the van-
quished will, in the case above supposed, good-temper-
edly pay to the victors the amount of the damage which
by ordeal they have been shown to have done.

The shields, one of which each man and each boy
prepares for himself, are made in this way. One stands
before me as I write. Three sticks of light wood, the
centre one much slighter, but also nearly double the
length of the other two, are laid at distances of about 15
inches parallel to each other on the ground. The two
outer sticks are perhaps 4 feet long, the middle one 7
or even 8 feet. Across the front of these parallel sticks,
pieces of the leaf-stems of the aeta palm, all cut to one
length, perhaps 30 inches, are laid parallel to each other
and close together. These are then tightly bound with
the fibre from the aeta leaf in the place which they now
occupy. The result is a compact, dense shield of aeta
stalks, square or oblong in shape, above the top of which
the two outer of the three upright sticks project 5 or
6 inches, while the centre of these sticks projects several
feet. To give additional strength to the shield a stick of
light strong wood is bound across the top of the aeta stalks,
crossing the three projecting sticks at right angles; and
another stick, this time a stout piece of palm leaf-stalk is
bound on similarly at the bottom of the shield. Into three
holes made in this lowest horizontal stick the lower ends
of the three upright projecting sticks are inserted.
Great tassels of flowing aeta fibre, partly dyed red, are

296 TlMEHRI.

now bound, by way of ornament, on to the three sticks
which project over the top of the shield ; and the outer
face of the shield, also by way oi ornament, is painted in
quaint barbaric patterns with certain white, red, and yellow
ochreous earths. The shield is now complete. It should
be added, however, that each maker prepares his shield
of a size suitable for himself, so that these vary in size
from that of the big full-sized man to those of the
small boys.

The personal adornment is of a very simple nature, its
constituents, if we exclude the few beads or teeth which
a very few of the Warraus are rich enough to have and
to habitually wear, are only aeta fibre and coloured
earths. Yet it is a fad, easily paralleled among other
Redmen, that a great variety of taste, and some very
good taste, is individually shown. Among the group of
players all individuals may be discovered varying from
the sloven's state to that of the well and worthily dressed
man — I had almost said gentleman. Yet the latter has
nothing over his bright clean skin but a loin-cloth or lap
a few inches wide, a few bunches and twisted strands
of straw-coloured palm fibre — these latter sometimes
partly dyed to a pretty and congruous red colour — and
possibly a few patches of coloured earths, and sometimes
of plant juices.

Here is the description of one special player, in a
sense as well and as becomingly dressed a man as I ever
saw. His waist-cloth was of clean white calico, and was
the only European thing about him. It was kept in place
by a thick girdle of loosely twisted palm fibres. Round
each of his legs, just below the knees, and round his
arms, just above the elbows, were similar girdles, each

Primitive Games. 297

ending in a long and flowing loose end. From round
his neck to below his waist hung a thick sort of cloak
of entirely loose fibres ; and round his head was a fibre
fillet ending at the back in a branch of long loose ends,
which hung down over his neck. The whole of his
hands to above the wrists, and the whole of his feet to
above the ankles, were dyed of that deep Indian red colour
(procured from Bixa orellana) which is, strangely enough,
so becoming to the red skin of a Redman. The whole
of his clothing, except the paint, I can hold in one small
bundle in my hand ; yet in this full dress he looked only
not a dandy because perfectly becomingly dressed.

When the appointed day comes and the players are
gathered together,, each with his quaint shield and many
flowing tassels, the group presents, as a whole, as
picturesque an appearance as can well be imagined, the
almost solely prevalent colours of which are soft and well
blended reds, yellows, and browns.

After all this preparation the game is simplicity it-
self. Each party is drawn up in a long single line, the
two lines facing each other in such a way that each
player has immediately facing him a player of the
opposite side of about his own size. There is much
stamping of feet, and much shaking of shields, now
held high over head, at each other ; and there is much
shouting of the word saki, saki, saki, each series of
shouts ending in a general roar. Then suddenly the
two lines take a half turn, and march off and
about in single file, but the two sides, side by side, the
stamping, the shield-shaking and the shouting being
still kept up. Those who, judging by the unfortunate stray
Redmen seen dazed in Georgetown, think these people

pp

298 TlMEHRI.

naturally dejected and low spirited, would quite change
their opinion did they see these same Redmen wildly excited
and in the highest of spirits during this game. Suddenly
the marching ceases, and the two parties resume their
places opposite to each other. Each man gets his shield
against that of his opposite foe. Then, now in silence,
the two push against each other, each striving might and
main, heart and soul, to push his opponent back from
the line and if possible to overthrow him. Then follows
more marching ; and the whole thing is repeated time
after time till all are too weary to do more. Then the
thing ends. It would often be difficult for any but the
most observant onlooker to tell which side had got the
better — but they themselves know, and the vanquished
admits their defeat. Forfeit is paid, or arrangement is
made to pay the forfeit at some convenient time. Lastly,
all separate in the best of tempers.

An account, written at the time, of a very curious
ceremonial feast which I saw held, apparently with
strictest and most accurate ceremony, by the Parta-
monas, a branch of the Ackawoi tribe, at their village
of Araiwaparoo in the neighbourhood of the Ireng river,
must bring this paper to a close. In the course of an over-
land journey in the interior of this colony, I, with four
of my Pomeroon Indians and a large crowd of Macoosi
carriers, arrived at Araiwaparoo before noon on Sunday
the 19th of February, 1888, and there found great prepara-
tions in hand for a dance that afternoon. We were
earnestly invited to stay for it, and as this would make no
difference in the number of days which it would take us
to reach our journey's end, I consented. A dance called
parasheera, seems to be practised especially by the

Primitive Games. 299

Macoosi and Ackawoi ; possibly by all the other Carib
tribes too. There are but few Ackawois on my own
river, the Pomeroon, and those few are comparatively
recent arrivals ; but one of the Pomeroon Indians who
was with me assured me that he had seen the dance
among the Ackawois on that river many years ago. The
other Pomeroon Indians all assert that neither the Caribs
nor any of the other Indians there know it.

Parasheera seems to be the name not only of the dance
but also ot each of the performers who, fantastically
clothed, arrive at the appointed settlement and institute
the dance. Even when we reached Araivvaparoo in the
morning, the wooded heights round us from time to time
re-echoed to frequent shouts ; these, however, for some
hours died away each time they were raised, without
anything apparently happening or any one appearing.
There seemed a good deal of hesitation and unwilling-
ness in answering my questions about these shouts, and
an air of mystery seemed to pervade the whole village.
I, however, induced one of my Macoosi travelling com-
panions to throw some light on the matter. He told me
that it was the parasheera gathering. Each party of
two or three of them, being the male inhabitants of one
household from some part of the neighbouring savannah,
as they come, shouting and yelling, to some spot
in the forest, appointed as a gathering place, near
the village where the feast is to be held, hush their cries
and wait till the other parasheeras, each party of whom
seems to come from a separate, more or less distant set-
tlement, come up. Only when the representatives from
all the invited settlements have thus gathered together
at the appointed place in the forest near, but not in

PP2

300 TlMEHRI.

sight of, the place of the feast, does the whole party
move forward together to the feast. When we arrived
at Araiwaparoo, and for some hours afterwards, the
mysterious parasheera were thus gathering, unseen but
most certainly heard, and apparently not to be talked of,
in our neighbourhood. I confess to have mvself gradually
felt eager and ever increasing excitement ; but this feel-
ing was obviously developed to a much greater degree
in the Indians of the settlement and in my own Indian
followers.

At last, just before four o'clock, the excitement
reached its highest pitch, and seemed to pass into a new
phase. The men and boys of the settlement rushed
into retirement in one of the houses ; whence they pre-
sently issued fantastically painted with the finest white
clay. The headman had a broad band of this pigment
entirely across his face so as to cover both eyes, and
meet the ears on either side ; he looked exacTly as
though blindfolded with a white handkerchief. The
same man had also various bands of the same white
substance round his body and legs. Each of his party
was also painted, each differently, with this same sub-
stance. Otherwise they had no ornament, and no cloth-
ing beyond the ordinary narrow band of dark blue cloth
passed between their legs and falling, apron-like, in front
and behind. Each had a whistle formed of one, two, or
three very slender pieces of bamboo, arranged, when
their was more than one of these, like pan-pipes. This
instrument is called kimiti, and from this instrument the
whole of the party is also called kimiti. Those who amuse
themselves with far-fetched fancied points of analogy
between different languages may be especially interested

Primitive Games. 301

to hear that this kimiti performed exactly the office of a
reception committee. Some of the kimiti carried in their
hands, and frantically waved, small joints of smoke-dried
meat. Then, with endless frantic and most fantastic
caperings and posturings, and with the most vehement
sounding of their shrill whistles, the kimiti darted like a
flock of wild duck down the path toward the forest,
whence the parasheera were expected to emerge. The
nearer and nearer approach of the expected guests was
indicated by constant increase in the loudness of the
most extraordinary and pandemoniac roar which they
raised — which, by the way, contrasted curiously, and,
doubtless intentionally, with the piercingly shrill sounds
of the equally, but differently, noisy kimiti. At last, just as
the two bodies of different noises approached and blended
in a most truly marvellous inharmonious harmony, the
first of the long single-filed procession of new-comers
came in sight, just at the edge of the forest. His entire
body was concealed in a clothing of the pale yellow-green
young leaves of the aeta palm (Mauritia jiexuosa). A
skirt. of the same, plaited together at the top, but otherwise
hanging loose, hung from round his waist to his heels.
A similar cloak of the same hung from round his neck
so as to overlap the skirt ; and a curiously plaited
arrangement of' the same leaves encircled his head, part
serving as a far-extending, halo-like crown, part hanging
down visor-like, over his face so as to overlap the top of
the cloak. He held in his hand a long wand of trumpet-
wood (Cecropia peltata), pierced with holes so as to
serve as a rude trumpet, and surmounted by a large flat
representation of the sun or moon, or some star, or of some
animal or bird, made of carved and painted soft wood.

302 TlMEHRl.

As the procession emerged from the bush it was seen
to be composed of thirty-five of these fantastically
dressed figures fParasheera), each dressed exa6tly as
above described except that in each case the figure which
surmounted the trumpet-wood dancing- stick represented
some different object of the heaven or of the earth; or
in some few cases was replaced by a long rattling band
of rattle seeds (Thevetia nerrifolia) . Almost all the
performers were grown men, but the last half dozen or
so were boys of various sizes down to the smallest.
The first three men were accompanied by their wives,
who were, however, not in the rank, but walked, or
rather pranced, each by the side of her husband, her
hand on his shoulder. These women were entirely with-
out clothing or ornament except the usual small bead
apron; and each had as solemn a face as if she were
taking part in the gloomiest or most sacred of rites.

As the party of parasheera and the kimiti met, the
former blew, though that had seemed impossible, more
vehemently and more deeply through their deep-toned
trumpets, the latter redoubled — nay, increased beyond
the power of words to express — their ear-splitting
whistling. All, of both parties, postured and capered,
and stamped, and waved their sticks till the whole was
welded into as strange a phenomenon of sight and
sound as eye ever saw, ear ever heard, or mind ever
conceived. The parasheera came on slowly but steadily;
and as they did so the kimiti whirled round and round
the advancing line, even while at the same time they
were posturing and capering, and — as it were — turning
on their own axis, as frantically as ever. Meantime I
had wedged myself with my small hand camera against

Primitive Games. 303

the wall of the house in which the parasheera were to
drink, in the hope of obtaining some instantaneous pho-
tographs. Whether by accident or design, the long pro-
cession closed around me, yelling, shrieking, and roaring,
and waving their dancing sticks so closely round my
head that I had continually to duck to avoid them. Then
it passed on round the house ; and just as I made a rush
for my larger camera, which I had before stationed in
position ready for another chance photograph, the pro-
cession, to my great disappointment, wended its way
into the house, the head man — who had led the proces-
sion— alone remaining outside, and there formed a circle,
faces inward, round the paiwarie trough. And now, as
Mr. RlDER HAGGARD would write, a thing most surprising
to me happened. The kimiti, with the exception of the
leader, instead of going in to share the feast with the
parasheera, retired quickly into their own house, washed
off their clay adornments, and came out and set about
their ordinary occupations. It was indeed remarkable
that except as a sort of a reception committee the men
of Araiwaparoo itself — the male hosts as it were — took
almost no part in the feast.

The headman of the parasheera, who, as has been
told, instead of entering the drinking house with the
others remained without, now sat down outside the door
and was there entertained, not for one hour or two, but
until I left the place the next morning, by the leader of
the kimiti, with pepper-pot and cassava, with much pai-
warie, and with an endless interchange of every ejacu-
latory conversation.

Meanwhile I entered the house, whence the most
fiendish noise was issuing. I found the whole party pos-

304 TlMEHRI.

turing in the most curious way, going through what I can
only describe as the most solemnly ridiculous and fan-
tastic posturings, their bodies energetically, yet steadily,
bent from the hips alternately backward and forward,
while at the same time their stamping feet moved the
whole circle of them round and round the paiwarie trough.
All were chanting as loudly and sonorously as possible a
short continuously repeated sentence, erantan eworki,
which being interpreted by one of my own Macoosis was
said to mean " that they had come to drink like hogs."
This sentence, apparently more apposite of meaning
than they intended, really signified that they, in the
character of bush hogs (or peccaries) had come to drink.
And to a very large extent they justified their statement
that they had come to drink like hogs, both in its appar-
ent and in iis intended signification ; for while they cer-
taily did, as a rabid total abstainer might say, drink like
ho^s, make beasts of themselves, they, at the same time,
cleverly managed to keep up the whole time a somewhat
close suggestion of a herd of peccaries. Their stamping
was as the stamping of a herd of these animals ; and
every now and then they interrupted the chanting of
their sentence, first to utter a series of fiendish shrieks
which were then always immediately followed by a rapid
and vehement imitation of the gruntings of a herd of
bush-hogs when disturbed by some unexpected sight or
sound. But even the monotony of the chanted sentence
was occasionally, perhaps once every half-hour, altered
by the adoption of new words. Sometimes it was eran-
tan meopoi wai ey—u we have come to a bad place ;"
that is to say they had had to mount a steep hill to reach
the drinking place. This was followed by a suggestion

Primitive Games. 305

that, they having taken so much trouble, it was to be
hoped that at least the drink was good and plentiful.
Sometimes it was eivoto zvai e re kay—li we mash the
ground like bush-hogs •" and certainly they did stamp
on the ground, "earth-shakers" they were, like but much
more vehement than any bush-hogs. Then again, they
were shouting in chorus that " hog want our dancing
sticks, but we no let hog have them."

The three women who had come with the party of
parasheera were not actually included in the circle of
dancers; but they pranced round just outside this circle,
each behind her husband, with her hand still on his
shoulder.

The women of the settlement of Araiwaparoo had
from the first kept within the drinking house, and were
now inside the circle of dancers, where they were busily
employed in handing calabashes of paiwarie or casiri to
the thirsty dancers.

With almost no variation this went on all night. Every
now and then two or three of the dancers retired from
the circle and the house to free themselves by vomiting
of the superfluity of liquor. And later on in the night
a few occasionally fell down as they danced, only how-
ever to recover themselves in a marvellously short time
and resume their places in the circle. The caperings of
course got wilder, the shouts more disordered, and the
dresses much disarranged. Two or three of the women
of the place, one carrying her new born baby under her
arm, took part in the procession for a few minutes.
Sometimes, too, nature seemed to be going to have her
way and the proceedings slacked ; but whenever this
happened the watchful kimiti rushed into their own

QQ

306 TlMEHRI.

house, adorned themselves afresh each time with white
paint and, entering the dancing house, frantically capered
round outside the circle of the parasheera, rousing the
latter by frantic whistlings and shouts to fresh exertions
and fresh potations — and never in vain.

I left the place at seven the next morning, having some
difficulty in inducing one or two of my own Macoosis to
start ; for my men, though they had not been allowed to
take part in the dance— had indeed only been allowed
by stealth to enter the dancing house — had yet been
given, outside the house, a very fair share of the liquor.
The proceedings were then still in full vigour, except
that the headman of the parasheera and the leader of
the kimiti no longer sat talking at the door, but lay
there prostrate and overcome. I was assured by some
of my own men that the proceedings would continue as
long as the paiwarie lasted, which might be all that day
and partly on into the next night ; but that as soon as
the liquor was finished the procession would move off,
with as near the same ceremony as their state allowed,
to the next settlement, and would there go through the
same performance. I was fortunate in seeing them only
at the first settlement, but the party was engaged to
visit three others. In each case, I was told, the number
of the parasheera would be swelled by the men and
boys of each of the settlements at which they had
already danced.

On the evening of their arrival I enticed several of
the dancers out by presents of pipes and tobacco, but
cou.d hardly get them to stand to the camera, from
which they always fied in terror. Of course, my night
was sleepless, and was at first much disturbed by occa-

Primitive Games. 307

sional visits from one or two of the stray revellers ; but
when these began to make themselves too unpleasant, by
adopting vigorous measures and ejecting two of the
revellers from my quarters more forcibly than politely,
I established a sort of sacred circle round myself into
which there was no further intrusion.

Through some not very obscure cause the house in
which my men were spending the night caught fire,
and was burned during the night ; and I had some little
difficulty in rescuing my goods uninjured. Often on
these savannahs one passes burned and abandoned
houses ; and I never do so now without wondering
whether they were destroyed on some such festival as
that just described.

If time and opportunity permit, I propose to continue
the subject of " Primitive Games" in a future number of
Timehri.

QQ2

Notes on some of the Scale Insects Inimical to
Vegetation, found in the Botanical Gardens,
Georgetown, British Guiana.

By S. J. Mclntire, F.R.M.S.

ROM time to time since last autumn, Mr.
Robert Ward, of the above Gardens, has
sent me, by the instructions of G. S. Jenman,
Esq., F.L.S , the Superintendent, consignments of leaves
of plants, shrubs, and trees, on which were scale insects
and other vermin, with a view to my getting them iden-
tified by the leading entomologists in this country.

In this matter I was fortunate in obtaining the cordial
co-operation of J. W. DOUGLAS, F.E.S., he being a most
accomplished specialist in this branch of entomology ;
and another gentleman, Mr. ALBERT MORGAN, of
Oporto, eagerly lent his valuable assistance from his
stores of entomological erudition.

The results of their united researches, up to the pre-
sent time, are briefly stated in the following notes.

The palm-scale, a pretty, though very destructive in-
sect, was identified as Cerataphis latanise, an aphis,
common on palms in all countries, and often very
troublesome in hot-houses in England, upon orchids and
other plants. It is well figured in Buckton's " British
Aphides," Vol. IV., Plate 134. It is remarkable on
account of the waxen fringe which surrounds its margin.

Another very remarkable insect was Orthczia insignis
(Plate I., Fig. 1), upon some leaves and flowers of a
plant belonging to the Composite. This insect first be-

Scale Insects of British Guiana. 309

came known to science in December, 1S87. A paper by-
Mr. E. T. BROWNE, F.R. M.S., with beautiful illustrations
by H. F. Hailes, F.R.M.S., will be found in the Journal
of the Quekett Microscopical Club for that month.

Mr. DOUGLAS also described it in the " Entomological
Monthly Magazine," and gave it the name which it bears.
It had been noticed, as a stranger, among the plant-vermin
of Kew Gardens, into which place, we now know, it
must have been introduced upon some plant from British
Guiana. It is a very beautiful creature owing to its
waxen appendages, which, however, are easily broken ;
and all possessors of microscopes and collections of
microscopic objects will desire to get it as a mounted
slide when thev have once seen it. The male, a tiny
two-winged fly with two caudal filaments coated with
white wax, was fortunately obtained, so that in this case,
the blank, which exists in so many instances, is filled up.

Many specimens of a Ceroplastes (Plate I„ fig. 3)
have been found on ferns, but, up to now, Mr. DOUGLAS
has not been able to identify them specifically. It may
prove yet that they are new to science. The fa6l that
this coccus has been found in abundance on ferns is a
new one. Ceroplastes is a genus, mostly tropical, and
there is only one species that is European (C. rusci.
Linn.) It is found in the South of Europe. Although
many species from several countries are known, they
are known only in the female sex : no male has yet been
found. The creature, female, is always enveloped in
wax, except on the ventral surface. In its early stages
the wax plates are six or eight in number, on the margin,
but they gradually approach each other and ultimately
unite.

310 TlMEHRI.

One parcel of palm leaves yielded hosts of the curious
coccid, Ischnaspis filiformis (Plate I., fig. 4), which
also was observed on mango leaves. This was discovered
for the first time some years ago by Mr. Douglas
upon several plants in the Gardens of the Royal
Botanic Society, Regent's Park ; and named by him
as above, but these leaves from British Guiana gave us
the information whence these hot-house pests had
originally come.

On mango leaves and certain orchids was found the
very beautiful coccid, Vinsonia stellifera (Plate I., fig. 2).
This had only been seen previously by the entomolo-
gists, SlGNORET and WESTWOOD. The former had his
specimens from Reunion, and the latter found his in
plant stoves in Paris. The irise6t was regarded by both
as the most remarkable member of the whole family.
SlGNORET speaks of it as (ccette magnifique espece."
In its immature condition it is like a little waxen star,
but in the adult state it is like a tiny tent pegged down
to the leaf at seven points. The mango leaves were
tenanted by a variety of curious coccids. One, at least,
proves to be new. It has recently been named by Mr.
ERNEST GREEN, of Ceylon, where it is very prevalent,
as Lecanium mangiferas (Plate II., fig. 1). And another,
after considerable difficulty, was identified as Aspidiotus
personatus (Plate II., fig. 2) of Cornstock. This latter
has more recently been found on the leaves of other
plants besides the mango. I am told that several
new species of Aspidiotus have been discovered by
Mr. MORGAN, who will describe and name them
in due course.

Cupania sapida yielded a variety of Coccidx. Some

Scale Insects of British Guiana. 311

found on the stems and mid-ribs of the leaves proved to
be Lecanium testudo (a large brown species) and Plan-
chonia fimbriata (Plate II., fig. 3) of Westwood. This
latter is a most beautiful obje6t, ornamented with spines
all round the margin. Its identification taxed the abili-
ties of both Mr. DOUGLAS and Mr. Morgan to the
utmost. I believe some new things were found on
Cupania sapida besides these, but I await information
on the point.

Diaspis cymbidii (Plate II., figs. 4 and 5) was found
on mango leaves in great abundance, and both male and
female scales were ' secured. This is a very fortunate
find, for, as I said before, very few males of the Coccidse
are known to science.

It may be many months yet before the whole of the
coccid mysteries received are wholly unravelled, for the
subje6l is a very difficult one ; but enough has been said
to show what an interesting branch of inquiry has been
opened up.

What a chance is here for the young microscopists of
Demerara to distinguish themselves ! The males of
Vinsonia stellifera, Ceroplastes, Ischnaspis filiformis*
Lecanium mangiferse, and the rest, are wholly unknown
to science ; and the finding of any of these and its
correct representation by drawings, and mounted slides
sent home to Mr. Douglas, the Secretary of the Ento-
mological Society, would bring these aspirants for
honour into note at once.

In order to help them I will state what is the history
of a coccus, no matter what species. The adult female
dies, and leaves beneath her a heap of eggs, duly hatch-
ing out into a6tive larvae, which run all over the plant

312 TlMEHRI.

on which they feed. At first, both males and females
are so nearly alike that the difference is microscopic.
When they change their first skin, however, they become
very different, as the scales of Diaspis cymbidii, which
I have figured, show. Both males and females now be-
come stationary. The females increase in size, but,
except in this particular, do not change. The males,
however, at the right time emerge from their masks as
minute two-winged flies, which copulate with the females,
and these then die, leaving under their dead bodies the
fertilized eggs, and so, the record begins again.

The above information may be found more at length
in the ''Entomological Monthly Magazine" since Dec-
ember, 1888, and the last two numbers of the "Journal
of the Quekett Microscopic Club."

Note. — Further consignments of fern leaves of various
kinds with Ceroplastes upon them having arrived, Mr.
DOUGLAS has had better opportunities of examining
this curious creature. He thinks, with some doubt how-
ever, that it is C. vinsoni, a species which is found in
the Mauritius upon guava and Japanese medlar.

The following extract from one of the letters from
Mr. DOUGLAS shows, on the one hand, the desire of our
advanced entomologists to acquire all information res-
peeling the Coccidx and their allies, and on the other
the stern determination to prevent, when possible, exotic
species from getting a footing in the plant houses in this
country.

"In the 'Gardener's Chronicle,' 1855, WESTWOOD
described and roughly figured an insect which he called
Orthczia seychcllanan. This has since never been

Tinuhri.JV? M. PI I.

ca e Insi I . (uiana

Mint - Br

TimeKri.JV0 Jffl: PI. B.

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la.

' 'ntire del. M.H.EisKer lith .

2a.

IP &|

IE x'i&

Scale Insects of Guiana.

Minterru Bros . imp.

Scale Insects of British Guiana. 313

identified. Whatever it may have been, it is no Orthe-
zia. When I read your letter, before I looked at the
insects, I hoped they might prove this species, which
was imported into Kew Gardens from the Seychelles on
palm leaves, but, at the time, for fear of introducing a
pest, all the plants were carefully destroyed/'

Explanation of Plates.

PLATE I.

Fig. 1. Orthezia insignis, adult female magnified, also

with a plan of the natural size.
Fig. 2. Vinsonia stellifera, female, mature.

,, 2a. ,, ,, female, immature.

Fig. 3. Ceroplastes (vinsoni ?) , female, dorsal view.

,, 3«. ,, ,, ventral view.

Fig. 4. I schnaspis filiformis, female.

PLATE II.
Fig. 1. Lecanium mangiferas.
,, \a. ,, ,, part of the fringe, more

highly magnified.
Fig. 2. Aspidiotus personatus, dorsal view.

„ 2a. ,, ,, side view.

Fig. 3. Planchonia fimbria ta.
„ 4. Diaspis cymbidiiy female scales.
,, 5. „ ,, male scales.

„ 50. ,, ,, male scale more highly mag-

nified.

R R

Wild Flowers of Georgetown: A Study in Field-
Botany for Tyros.

By Exley Per rival, B A., Principal of Queen* s College.

[HE most enthusiastic lover of a garden will
probably admit that, highly as we prize the
fair floral denizens of what old writers
call "the gay parterre," there is still a more potent
spell than theirs in the simple wild flowers that deck
every nook and corner of our Northern lands with
ever-varying grace of form and colour. We all do
willing homage to the stately rose that holds the un-
challenged title of "Queen of the Garden;" but it is the
wild brambling, the pink or white dog-rose luxuriating in
the June hedgerows, that is dearest to poet and painter
and to all true lovers of flowers. And so with other culti-
vated plants ; we all admire them, and many of the
old-fashioned favourites of the pleasant country gardens
of farm and cottage — pinks and carnations, gilly-flowers,
mignonette, sweet-lavender, and all the rest of the frag-
rant posy — are regarded with a sort of affe6lion that
new-comers and rare exotics fail to win. But the true
names to conjure with are those of the wild flowers pure
and simple : March daffodils and April primroses, cow-
slips and violets, blue-bells and wood-anemones : and
then the star-worts and red-robins and fox-gloves and
honeysuckle in the winding lanes : and willow-weed and
forget-me-nots and meadow-sweet by every brook and
channel : and wild-thyme and nodding hare-bells and

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 315

the golden gorse that Linnseus thanked God for on the
heathy banks : and, later on, scarlet poppies and corn-
marigolds and bright blue corn-flowers among the ripen-
ing wheat : who that has ever roamed among these and
their beautiful kindred does not feel the magic of their
very names, recalling memories of bright scenes and
happy days in by-gone years ?

Few such associations may cling to the names of our
local flowers, and it may be admitted that at first sight
the coast-lands of British Guiana do not seem a very
promising field for the unscientific botanist. The straight
dams that take the place of our country lanes at home,
and the trench-cut squares and right-angled parallelo-
grams that do duty for fields, are not favourable to the
growth of these wildings, which seem to choose homes
of beauty by some sympathetic instinct. Still, we have
many pretty, some fine, and a few very beautiful flowers,
and a district in which the Victoria regia grows as a
weed in any pond or trench is not altogether without
claims to floral distinction. Nor is there any lack of
material to work on ; the casual observer, who may have
noticed half a score of weeds and wild-flowers in
and about the town, may be surprised to learn that,
without including the grasses and sedges, there are at
least three hundred kinds of wild flowering plants to be
found within the limits of the ordinary afternoon walk
or drive, some two hundred of which may be gathered in
the Botanic Gardens alone. And if few of these have
any striking beauty of their own, they form at any rate an
interesting suburban flora, presenting examples of many
important types, and a great variety of the wonderful
adaptations of plant and flower to situation and mode

RR 2

316 TlMEHRI.

of life that help to make botany so suggestive and
fascinating a pursuit to its students.

But, as with men and women, so with flowers ; as
soon as we begin to take an interest in them, we want
to know their names ; and here considerable difficulty-
has to be encountered. Few people here can tell us the
names of a round dozen of our native flowers ; and
there is no one book, much less any popular and easily
procurable book, from which they can be named. Most
of the specimens of my own collecting could not have
been identified without the help of my friend, G. S.
Jenman, Esq., F.L.S , our Government Botanist, pro-
bably the only person in the colony who knows the scien-
tific names of our wild-flowers, great and small, almost as
familiarly as a Bentham or a Hooker might know the
British flora ; and for many quaint and interesting popular
names, which I have tried to make a special feature of this
paper, I have to thank G. H. Hawtayne, Esq., C.M.G.,
whose knowledge of Creole lore is well known to our
colonists. My object being simply to help in naming the
plants, and to suggest, rather than to treat in detail, some
points of interest in their structure and habits, I have
avoided as far as possible the use of technical terms and
purely scientific characteristics, taking instead any
obvious external features that may serve as guides : for
which I am sure that scientific botanists will be the first
to hold me excused, as they will know how impossible
it is for a beginner to name a plant or to get the slightest
idea of its appearance from the descriptions in botanical
works, such as GRISEBACH'S valuable " Flora of the West
Indies." Wherever possible the Botanic Gardens have
been taken as the collecting ground, as they are visited

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 317

by all, and the wild-flowers found there are so represen-
tative of the whole sea-board that most dwellers on the
coast may recognise a good proportion of their own
acquaintances among the flowers described.

To begin with some small flowers that cannot fail to
be identified, and will serve as a clue to several others ;
every one must know the little flattened rows of seed
vessels, like tiny purses joined together, that cling to
one's clothes after walking in long grass, so closely
that even a visit to the laundress sometimes fails to dis-
lodge them. They are locally called sweethearts, from
their clinging and apparently affectionate disposition,
which, however, a cynic might remark — if there were any
cynics among the gentle race of botanists — is inspired
purely by motives of self-interest, as we shall presently
see. These sweethearts should not be confused, as
they sometimes are, with the spiky and aggressive seeds
or burs more properly called watchmen, found in
similar circumstances, two of which may be identified
later. The true sweethearts may readily be traced to
a small plant with leaves of three leaflets and loose
nodding racemes of pretty little pinkish purple flowers,
turning leaden blue as they fade, and producing the
curved, jointed pods that cling, either whole or in seg-
ments, to every passing body. These plants are the
desmodiums, which are known as honeysuckles as well
as sweetheart piants, though of course they have no
affinity with the true climbing honeysuckles. The com-
mon ground honeysuckle or sweetheart-bush (Des-
modium incanum) has pointed leaflets, conspicuously
ribbed on the under side, and eight joints or purses
in a full pod. The three or perhaps four other

318 TlMEHRI.

kinds have rounded, trefoil or shamrock-like leaflets,
and seldom more than four joints in a full pod. A
comparison of one of these little blossoms with the
flower of any of the peas or beans to be found in our
gardens, will show that they are constructed on the
same general plan, representing the type not inaptly
called Papilionaceous, or butterfly-like flowers. In these
the petals, or flower-leaves, are variously shaped, mainly
to accommodate the inse6t allies on whose visits the suc-
cessful setting of their seed depends. In the typical
form the broad upper petal is generally ereft and con-
spicuously coloured, and is called the standard ; the two
side petals, sometimes spreading, more often folded over
the lower pair, are known as wings ; and the two lowest,
often partially united, form a sort of boat or keel, con-
taining the fruiting organs. The fruit of such flowers is
almost always a pod, as they belong to the important order
of Leguminosae or pod-bearers, which furnish us with a
host of useful produces, from the gum on our pos-
tage stamps to the timber of the lofty mora. As
the papilionaceae are frequent and characteristic plants
here, and easily recognised by the shape of their flowers
and their unmistakeable pods, they will form a convenient
group to examine first.

To begin with the yellow kinds ; among the most con-
spicuous are the upright spikes of bright yellow flowers
belonging to the rattle-wort or bisi-bisi (Crotalaria
retusa)y frequent on banks and open grass land. It has
undivided leaves and grows from one to two feet high.
As it is the only papilionaceous plant near town with
these stiffly ere6t flowering spikes, it cannot be mistaken,
even if the pods are not ripe enough to give the hissing

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 319

rattle, sounding very like that of the rattle-snake, that
has gained the plant its scientific as well as its popular
names.*

Another bright yellow flower of the papilionaceous
kind is the yellow seaside pea (Vi^na vexillata), with
flowers that are held ere6l, three or four together,
on longish stalks, whence the specific name from
vexillum, a standard. It is a twining and trailing
plant, with trifoliate leaves, the three leaflets nar-
row and pointed. A smaller, slenderer kind, of
more twining growth, and very narrow lance-shaped
leaflets, is the lesser yellow seaside pea (Vigna luteola).
It may be distinguished from the last with certainty by
examining the keel of the flower, which in this species
is twisted like a ram's horn, while in the common seaside
pea it is boat-shaped as usual. t

The other common yellow papilionaceae are tolerably
upright shrubs or bushes, running up to ten or twelve
feet in height. Most land near town is periodically
" wed," to use the local phrase, by the simple process
of chopping everything down to the bare soil with a
cutlass ; a necessity no doubt, but a melancholy neces-
sity for the botanist, who finds his half-explored treasure-
ground of yesterday a barren waste to-day. Hence, many
plants are most often seen as low herbs or shrubs that
grow to a much greater height in any undisturbed
locality.

One of these is the common sesban, or swamp-pea

* Crotalaria from Gk. Krotalon, a rattle. The rattle-snake is Crotahis
horridus.

f Grisebach's V. luteola is mainly the V. vexillata of Bentham, and
vice -versa.

320 TlMEHRI.

bush (Sesbania acgyptiaca), a straggling, thin-branched
bush, of any height from one to ten feet, abundant in
the autumn but dying down in the early part of the year.
The flowers are yellow, and the greenish yellow exterior
of the standard is profusely specked as if with tiny
" blacks " from a smoky lamp. The leaves are pinnate
or divided into several leaflets, in this kind from ten to
eighteen pairs, and the numerous long narrow pods are
compressed between each seed, so as to give them a
studded, almost beaded appearance. Its fibre is used
in the East for rope-making, but it cannot be said to be
either useful or ornamental here, though too common to
be passed without notice.

A more valuable plant, the pigeon-pea or no-eye-pea
(Cajanus indicus) , of East Indian origin, has been so
long cultivated throughout tropical America that it often
occurs as a wild plant. It is too familiar to residents to
need description, but may be characterized for new-
comers as a slender bush six or eight feet high, with
orey-green trifoliate leaves, yellow flowers, and pods
with slanting depressions between each pea, pro-
ducing a diagonally striped appearance. This pea
is the most easily cultivated crop we have, requiring
neither clearing nor subsequent weeding of the ground ;
the only hard work seems to fall on the daughter of the
house, who has to cry the produce through the town in
the shrill nasal accents that we know so well.

The last yellow papilionaceous flower that we need
mention belongs to a slender shrub at once distinguished
by its sensitive pinnate leaves, the marsh shame-bush
or bastard sensitive plant (/Eschynomene sensitiva) . It
is common near water, and has small yellowish flowers

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 321

often shaded with purple. Though not so. sensitive as
the true shame plants (Mimosa) its younger leaves soon
close at a touch, The purpose served by these singular
irritable movements, in these and many other widely dis-
tributed plants, is so doubtful that it would be useless to
attempt to discuss the question here.

The true sensitive plant most often found near town
is Mimosa polydactyla, a pod-bearing but not a papilio-
naceous plant, having tiny pinkish-white blossoms
clustered in roundish heads close to the central stem ;
the highly sensitive leaves are very ornamental, with
several spreading segments or fingers, each one cut into
numerous pairs of small narrow leaflets. The accepted
formula among children here is to point a reproving
finger at the plant, saying " fie, for shame," when the
leaves double up and seem to try and hide themselves
away.

Another native sensitive plant may be found at the side
of the second lake in the Gardens near the iron bridge.
It has yellow heads or tufts of flowers, and pretty
cockade-like leaves with six leaflets, each again divided
into numerous smaller ones. The pods, about an inch
long, form an irregularly star-shaped cluster. This is the
water shame plant (Neptunia oleracea). Its spreading
stems are worth examination ; so long as the plant is
growing on land, it has ordinary hollow stalks; but as it
advances into the water a thick wrapper of spongy or
woolly texture forms round the branches, so that tliey
float buoyantly, sending down roots towards the ooze
below. Thus the plant always follows the water, floating
as it rises and rooting in the shallows as it falls.

Bufore we return to the papilionaceous flowers, this

SS

222 TlMEHRI.

will be a convenient place to notice some other con-
spicuous yellow pod-bearing plants which will be easily
recognised as true leguminosas by their pods and pinnate
leaves, resembling some of the species described, although
their flowers are not of the pea-flower shape.

The akasee is a slender shrub with round stalked heads
of little yellow flowers, not unlike those of the water
shame plant, prettily pinnate leaves, not sensitive to a
touch, but soon closing up when gathered, and a pair
of spiny prickles opposite each leaf-stalk along the stems.
It mav be seen on the Lamaha dam opposite the Cricket
Ground, and in many other places. No plant could
have more contradictory popular names than this ; akasee
no doubt represents acacie, the plant being Acacia
Farnesiana ; but it is also called sweet-briar from its
sweet-scented flowers, from which a favourite perfume
is extracted in India ; on the other hand the roots and
woody steins have a strong and disagreeable odour when
bruised or cut, which has gained the plant the gruesome
name of deadman's flesh. The juice of the roots is
said to be a strong poison, but the scraped pods are
good for toothache — -whence it is sometimes called tooth-
ache tree — and their gummy juice for mending china.
The juice from the stems is too fluid to serve as gum
arabic, which is obtained from a very similar eastern
Acacia, which may be found among the trees planted
along Croal Street.

The wild cassias we shall meet with are shrubs or small
trees with showy yellow flowers, pinnate leaves and vari-
ously shaped pods that turn black as tlu-y ripen. Perhaps
the most conspicuous is the carrion-crow bush, or johnny-
crow bush (Cassia reticulata), common as a more or less

Wild Flowers of Georgetown.

J»zO

dwarfed shrub along roadsides, and growing twelve to
fifteen feet high in undisturbed positions ; large specimens
may be noticed on the south Lamaha dam just above the
pumping-engine on the Vlissengen Road. It has from
four to a dozen pairs of large oblong leaflets, broadly
rounded at the end, bright yellow flowers, and long
flattened pods marked with cross-lines between each seed.
Almost as tall, but slenderer and less branched in its
growth, is the miama (Cassia bacillaris), used to rub
stains from clothes. The leaves have only two pairs of
broadly ovate and pointed leaflets, and theflowersare large
and creamy yellow, succeeded by nearly cylindrical pods.
It grows on the Lamaha dam. near the last species, and
in many other localities, and is generally conspicuous
among (.he bushes at the top of the Gardens. Two
smaller kinds found in town, and common, to give an
exact locality, in and about the Kitty Village, are called
stinking-weed or stinking-wood from the strong physic-
like smell that has rather unjustly gained the name
of carrion-crow bush for Cassia reticulata. The slen-
derer kind, Cassia occidentalism has four to eight pairs of
rather oval and distinctly pointed leaflets and narrow
elongated pods from two to four inches long. The
other, commonly called money-bush Cassia bicapsu-
laris, has a thick shrubby growth, nearly cylindrical
pods from three to eight inches l<~>ng, and three
pairs of oval leaflets, the lowest and smallest pair
almost circular, like counters or thin coins. The
wing-pod cassia, called ring-worm bush, Cassia alata,
has many oblong rounded leaflets, the lowest pair at
some distance from the others, and is best distinguished
by its four-sided, shortly pointed pods with a membran-

SS 2

324 TlMEHRI.

ous border or wing running along each angle. Several
other kinds are grown in gardens and sometimes found
wild, most of them possessing in some degree the bitter
medicinal properties that we probably became acquainted
with in early life in the form of senna tea, obtained from
Cassia obovata and other species. We may also just
mention the allied Barbados pride or Barbados flower-
fence (Czcsalpinia pulcherrima) , which often springs
spontaneously in cultivated ground, an ornamental
shrub or small tree with bright orange-red or yellow
flowers, twice-pinnate leaves, and black pods like
ordinary pea-pods.

Having thus disposed of the yellow leguminosae most
likely to be met with, we may return to the papiliona-
ceous kinds, and, still taking colour as our guide, iden-
tify another of the group common on grassy land, with
very dark lurid red or maroon-purple' flowers, which is
a wild cinabone called wild gully-root (Phaseolus semi-
ereffus). The curiously twisted keel and the small
standard are of a smoky pinkish colour ; the pods long
and linear, and the leaves trifoliate with rather arrowhead-
shaped leaflets. The common gully-root (Petiveria
alliacea) grown in every yard is a plant of a very different
order, allied to the calalu and poke-weeds ; it is a shrubby
herb with entire lanceolate leaves, and is best distinguished
by its long slender spikes or sprays of minute white star-
like flowers with four rays to each star. It is also called
guinea-hen weed and strong-man's weed, and is an
important ingredient in certain nostrums of the local
wise women.

The white papilionaceae are less certainly identified,
as some of the blue and purple kinds occasionally

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 325

" sport" to white, and the commonest white kind,
the lablab or bonny-vis (Dolichos LablabJ, that pro-
duces our local green peas, often turns to lilac or purple.
When found wild, however, it is generally white, and
may be known by the broadly ovate and pointed
leaflets of its trifoliate leaves, and the numerous small
protuberances that roughen the upper edge of the pod.
It is familiar as a cultivated plant, trailing on fences in
most provision grounds. A white phaseolus orcinabone,
the sugar-bean (Phaseolus lunatus) , may be recognised
by the spirally twisted keel, characteristic of this genus ;
and the bat's-wing-pea (Lonrea vespertilionis), rare
here, a small erecl; pea, with white corollas and single
bilobed leaflets, is said to occur in the Gardens, but I
have never found it near town.

The small tree, A^ati grandiflota, with numerously
pinnate leaves, pendulous pods a foot or more in length,
and very large white or rosy papilionaceous flowers, a
good three inches long, is thoroughly naturalised in many
parts of the colony, but only occurs in town as an intro-
duced plant. A good specimen is near the third lake
in the Gardens, about forty yards from the wooden
bridge passing to the central avenue. Lastly, the small
white-flowered liquorice vine or crab-eye vine is
a climbing and twining plant with long, narrow,
pinnate leaves, and pods containing several bright
scarlet seeds with a black spot at the end, often
used for children's necklaces. It may be seen
climbing on the roof of the summer house in the
central avenue.

Here colour ceases to be a sufficiently definite guide,
and we may conveniently divide the rest of the papili-

326 TlMEHRI.

onaceae into two sets, those with small flowers a quarter
of an inch long or less, and those with fairly large and
conspicuous blossoms, an inch to over two inches long.
Of the first, the sweetheart plants have already been
mentioned ; the others, if erect and shrubby, will be
indigo bushes (Indigofera) ; if a small creeping plant
found in open grassy places, with single leaflets, minute
reddish pink flowers of various shades, and bundles of
pods looking disproportionate^ large for the slender
stems, it will be the Demerara clover (Alysicarpus vagi-
nalis), really an East Indian fodder plant, but now a
common and very variable weed here and throughout
the West Indies. Of the indigo bushes, slender
shrubs with pinnate leaves and little spikes of in-
conspicuous flowers with pinkish wings, two kinds
are common here : the true dyer's indigo (Indigofera
tindioria) , with pods over an inch long and rounded
leaflets; and the wild or Arab's indigo (I. Anils)
with little pyramids of half-inch pods and narrow
leaflets. Both grow together on the Lamaha dam near
the yellow cassias mentioned. Their industrial impor-
tance is well-known.

The larger kinds will be either the seaside beans (Cana-
valia) or the blue and purple pea-flowers (Clitoria).
Here the shape of the flower will be our best guide ; the
seaside beans have typically papilionaceous flowers with
the standard uppermost, more or less ere6t, and not
enclosing the wings and keel ; they are trailing and
twining plants, with large trifoliate leaves and purple
flowers, found at the Kitty corner, &c. In the clitorias
the flower is reversed so that the standard lies under-
neath, folded so as to form a sort of bowl or oval shell

Wild Flowers of Georgetown.

327

enclosing the rest of the flower. A very ornamental
kind with bright blue and white blossoms, the blue pea-
flower or blue vine, though a doubtful native, is
thoroughly naturalised along the north trench in the
Gardens and is common along the road to New Amsterdam,
perhaps escaped from gardens, where it is often culti-
vated. Two pea-flowers with similarly shaped white
blossoms streaked and shaded with purple, can be dis-
tinguished by the pods, which are short (one to two
inches) and four-sided in the lesser kind (Clitoria glyce-
noides) , long and flattened in the greater purple pea-
flower (C. Poitsei.)

Among the larger trees near town belonging to the
pod-bearing order may be mentioned the tamarind (Tama-
rindus indicus) , the saman (Pithecolobium Saman), the
handsome scarlet and white flamboyant (Poinciana
regia), and the oronoque (Erythrina glauca) , whose red
and yellowish flowers, often found strewn in the avenue
at the Gardens, are called "fowl-cocks" by the children
here from their resemblance to a cock, or at any rate a
weather-cock, when held upside-down by the large red
or orange standard that forms a perch for the bird.

It would of course be impossible to treat the other
groups of plants in the same detail that is here given to
the papilionaceae. But it is a good plan in botany to
begin by examining some one group carefully, and many
clues will be gained, and many points of interest dis-
covered, by any one who studies this well-marked series,
most characteristic of our flora, ten or a dozen species of
which may be gathered in the course of an easy stroll ;
for instance, up the south Lamaha dam, for a couple of
hundred yards past the Queenstown bridge.

3^S TlMEHRI.

The twining seaside peas and clitorias may naturally
suggest the question, how do plants climb? The answers
to which are full of variety and interest, only to be briefly
touched on here. Every plant mentioned may be found
in the avenue at the Gardens, where the study of tro-
pical botany may be carried on under much more agree-
able conditions than are often imposed upon its votaries.
But it must be remembered that many of the ornamental
flowers there are introduced species, and therefore not
mentioned here unless they are thoroughly naturalised.
I once heard a well-known old planter stoutly maintain
a pet theory of his, that plants had some sixth sense
unknown to us, even if they could not actually see what
they were about by some strange vegetable form of
vision. "For," said he, "just plant a yam anywhere,
and three or four feet away put in a likely stick ; and in
a few days you will find that that yam has made a bee-
line for the stick and climbed up it. How could it do
that without sense?" The fa£ts are indisputable ; and
if the solution is not so paradoxical as the argument
infers, it is no less wonderful as a simple yet perfect
adaptation to a given end. In twining plants the powers
of movement, common to all plants in a greater or less
degree, are so specialised in the long growing shoots
that each sweeps round a considerable portion of a
circle in a few hours' time. Over grass or slight
obstacles they pass unchecked, but as soon as they reach a
branch or sapling strong enough to interrupt their course,
and therefore adequate as a support, they twine round it
by the same sort of impulse, gradually and persistently
given by the* growth of the plant, that makes a whip-
lash twist spirally round any like obstacle. Thus they

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 329

seem by the result to have some conscious power of
selecting and travelling straight to a suitable support.
It is, naturally, mostly plants with slight, tough stems,
that climb in this rather crude fashion, by twining their
whole body, so to speak, round the chosen prop. Many
others economise their forces and materials by throwing
out slender tendrils of various forms, often so sensitive
as to deflect at the slightest touch, to support the main
stem as it climbs. Such are the passion-flowers, found
here in most parts, but nowhere very abundantly.
The general character of the flowers is too well known
to need description. The largest kind is the simaton,
bell-apple, or water-lemon, Passijlora laurifolia, with
oval, entire leaves, and large flowers in which purple and
white are the predominant colours. Its yellow fruits
are familiar to all. The wild simatou (P. fcetida)
has hairy leaves and stems, white flowers tinged
with pink, and a curious mossy net-work round
the fruit, which has gained the plant the poetical
name of love-in-a-mist. P. biflora has abruptly half-
round leaves that look as though they had been artificially
cut to a half-circle, and whitish flowers. Two or three
other kinds may be met with, but are too sparse to need
description here. We may also mention a common wild
cucumber (Cephalandra indica), with a five-lobed white,
rather downy corolla, that at first sight might be
taken for a bind-weed or convolvulus but for its spiral ten-
drils and pendent melon-like fruit. This is condemned in
the Gardens as a troublesome weed, but might plead
that it is quite as pretty as many cultivated flowers.
Climbing among grass or low bushes may be found a deli-
cate little plant of the same order, that will be recognised

TT

330 TlMEHRI.

at once as a perfect melon plant in miniature, with the
characteristic rounded, more or less distinctly five-lobed
leaves, yellow flowers, and pendulous melons about half
an inch long, that would make a handsome dessert dish for
a fairy feast. This is the small wild melon (Melothria
pendula) , whose fine tendrils seem specially suited for
twining on grass. Another small climbing plant, abun-
dant in the same places, is the heart-pea (Cardiospcrmum
microcarpum) , which has leaves prettily cut into
three lobes, each again divided into three, very small
white flowers, and inflated capsules, each of
its three divisions containing a blue-black seed when
ripe; just below the flowers is a pair of opposite ten-
drils in short flattish coils something like a watch-spring.
The climbing securidaca, or purple climbing milkwort
(Securidaca volubiiis), common in the avenue, with a
rich inflorescence of small winged pinkish-purple flowers
in loose clusters, climbs by taking a single turn at inter-
vals round its support with a tough twiggy loop or hook
formed by part of the stem. Some tendrils are further
specialised for scrambling on rough surfaces as well as
twining. The common bignonia called bird's-foot or
catclaw, and sometimes Barbados trumpet-flower (Big-
nonia unguis), with large yellow tubular flowers and two
leaflets to each leaf, will be found to have three little
clawed processes to each tendril, which cling to rough
bark or to the back of the hand, when drawn across it, like
the claws of a tiny bird.

In many climbing plants prickles or hooked thorns take
the place of tendrils. Some of the palms, which do not
c.)me within the purview of this paper, are among the
best examples of this ; such as the Calamus longipes, in

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 331

the row of trees at the back of the new band-stand, whose
leaves end in long whip-like lashes holding by numerous
pairs of recurved hooks. But a good native type among
our wild-flowers is furnished bv the grey and yellow nicker
trees or chick-stone trees (Guilandina Bonduc and
Bonducella), of which climbing specimens may be found
half-way up the avenue, as well as near the palm just
mentioned ; they are easily distinguished by their large
twice-pinnate leaves' armed with many curved prickles
on the ribs and stalks, which catch at so many angles
and hold with such tenacity that it would be difficult to
extricate oneself if fairly caught. Hence these bushes
used to be planted on the sides of entrenchments in
Barbados as an additional defence.*

On the oronoque next below the wooden side-bridge
leading to the south lakes may be found a fine specimen
of one of the cooper-trees, satirically called "Scotch
attorneys," which climb by throwing out pairs of roots
at intervals^ clasping the supporting tree-like hoops upon
a cask. At first they are soft and pliant, but gradually
become rigid and woody, and often ultimately strangle
their helpless host. The kind before us is the star-of-
night or balsam fig (Clusea rosea), with very handsome
large rosy white blossoms with a curious yellow centre-
piece. The strangling roots are not so prominent in this
specimen as they would have been if it had chosen a
younger tree, still growing, as its host.

At the foot of these oronoques in the avenue may be
found several examples of the simplest and most imper-

* Hughes' Natural History of Barbados, 1750. For this and other
curious old books, from which many fafts have been gleaned, I am in-
debted to N. Darnell Davis, Esq.

TT 2

332 TlMEHRI.

feci: mode of climbing, when a weak-stemmed plant just
scrambles up by leaning on any support it meets, without
special means for holding on. In this way the common,
rather coarse-looking wild marigold or yellow ox-eye
(Wulffia stenoglossa) , straggles up for ten or twelve feet
among the bush. And everyone must notice the pretty
pale-yellow flower (Asystasia coromandelina) , abundant
about the roots of the trees, and trailing among the
grass, which it seems agreed here to call a primrose,
though it is little like the real primrose except
in colour. We might call it the African primrose from
its original home, but it is now quite naturalised here
in several parts.

Some plants climb down instead of up, like the figs,

which germinate from bird-dropped seeds on the branches

of trees, and at once begin to make for the ground by

slender hanging and trailing roots ; these twist together

as they go, and at last, gaining new vigour like the

fabled giant from touching mother-earth, form stout

trunks which support the plant as an independent tree

after its host has fallen. There are several native figs in

various stages of their growth in the avenue. In the

tree stage we may notice one just above the round

summer-house, which, when fruiting in the autumn, is

covered with a multitude of little pea-shaped figs, pale

brown spotted with red, which provide a rare feast for the

kiskadees, ground doves, and other birds. On the south

side of the avenue, about a hundred yards below the cross

road, we shall find a small tree, apparently with four

trunks, that well illustrates the manner of their growth.

The aged oronoque on which this fig was growing fell

in a sudden squall about two years ago, when the hang-

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 333

ing roots had just reached the ground, but were still too
thin and flexible to support the parasite, or rather epi-
phyte, as an independent tree; but it was raised and
propped up at its original height, and now the roots,
though thev have not twined together to make a central
trunk as they would naturally have done, have developed
into four stout supports enabling the tree to sta'nd alone.
On the oronoque next below this may be seen a fig in
its earlier parasitical stage, sending down roots to the
soil, but still growing on the branches of its host.

Taking another line of enquiry, and returning for a
time to the little sweetheart pods that cling to every
passing body, we shall find that this is but one of many
ways that plants have of disseminating their seeds as
widely as possible in fresh soil. Whether these adapta-
tions are due to creative design, or gradual evolution, or
both, need not be discussed here; the end attained is
the same in any case. It is well known that land will
not bear fresh crops of the same kind year after year
without exhaustion ; every farmer knows that after two
or three years his plantains or bananas fall off so much
that it is useless to keep the old beds under the same
cultivation ; and the rule applies to all crops, though
some exhaust the soil more rapidly than others. Hence
if a plant always dropped its seed, as unadapted seed
would drop, upon the ground beneath it, fewer and
fewer of its seedlings would survive each sowing, and
the enfeebled plant would ultimately disappear, ousted
by stronger rivals. But there are endless means by
which plants find new nurseries for their progeny. Some
seeds, as we have seen, are provided with bristles or
spines or hooks, so that every passing animal carries

334 TlMEHRI.

them to fresh woods and pastures new. These are mostly
weeds of cultivated lands, where such means of convey-
ance are frequent. Besides the desmodiums, we con-
stantly see and help to distribute at least two other
seeds, one of which, a small roundish kind beset with
bristling points, something like the iron caltrops that
used to be thrown in the way of advancing cavalry, is
the fruit of the bur-grass (Cenchrus echinatus) ; the
other is more like a small canary-seed enveloped in
spiny bra6ts, and grows on the long thin spikes of the
watchman plant (Achyranthes asperaj, a common weed
among grass. This plant is given the -jesting name of
man-more-than-man, the point of the joke being to
get some one to take the long spike in his hand to puzzle
over the reason for this strange name, when the ques-
tioner gives a practical answer by drawing it smartly
through the closed hand and leaving the man plus several
little " pimplers" fastened in his fingers.

Other plants have variously shaped wings to their
seeds, so that in their fall from a height they are carried
to some distance from the parent tree. One instance of
this is the climbing securidaca described above, which
has a delicate membranous wing about an inch long to
each small seed. But a still prettier and more elabo-
rate device is found in the fruit of the handsome
Long John trees (Triplaris surinamensis and other
species) that adorn many of our roads and gardens.
Here the seed is contained in a capsule provided
with three brown leaf-like wings or blades, an inch
and a half long, the whole on the plan of a small
shuttlecock with three feathers. These wings are
so bent that the fruit spins rapidly as it falls, and so

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 335

descends steadily and gracefully like a little parachute,
often travelling to a considerable distance before it
touches the ground. One would think that this spinning
principle might be applied to the upper part of real
parachutes, as it certainly gives great slowness and
steadiness to the descent. A like plan is differently
developed for smaller and lighter seeds in pappus-
bearing plants like the thistle or dandelion at home, and
several familiar weeds out here of the groundsel type,
where silky or bristly hairs, sometimes rayed at the top
to form a parachute, sometimes spreading like the fea-
thers of a shuttlecock, serve to waft the seed to long
distances upon the breeze. In this way the Scotch thistle
has been blown through the length and breadth of Aus-
tralia, till it has become quite a dangerous enemy to
cultivation in many districts. Perhaps the prettiest ex-
ample of this mode of conveyance here is to be seen in
the bastard ipecacuanha, blood-flower, or red-heads,
(Asclepias curassavica) , a roadside plant with narrow
leaves and conspicuous umbellate heads of red flowers
with curious bright yellow cup-shaped appendages in the
centre. On opening the green envelope of the fruit the
white seeds are seen arranged in a symmetrical fish-
scale pattern forming a sort of cone ; each seed is
attached to the centre by a bundle of flossy hairs, which
become feathery as the seed browns and ripens, and at
the right time sail away before the wind to some
new home.

Some plants grow by the water-side, and simply
drop their fruit, enclosed in a floating pod or capsule,
for the currents to drift into fresh quarters. The spiny
pods of the nicker trees described above have thus been

336 TlMEHRI.

borne not only to all tropical shores, but even to the far
Cornish and Scottish coasts. Others send out long
runners, which bear flowers and seeds some distance
from the parent plant. Thus the creeping shoots of the
nanny-foot convolvulus described below run a hundred
feet and more along the ground. In others the seed
vessels become elastic and burst when ripe with a sort
of explosion, scattering the seeds in every direction.
This is the case with the wood-sorrels, a pretty little
ere6l kind of which, Oxalis Plumieri, known here as
" P°P&uns>" may be I0un(l everywhere in shady or half-
open places, with trefoil leaves and small pinkish-white
flowers stained with yellow in the centre. A smaller pros-
trate kind, with delicate olive-brown or green shamrock
leaves and yellow flowers, Oxalis corniculata, is a frequent
and not unwelcome weed in gardens and ferneries. But
the most notable instance of this type is the sand-box
tree (Hura crepitans) , the woody rosette-shaped fruits
of which are commonly used here as paper-weights.
These burst with quite a loud report when ripe, projecting
their seeds twenty yards or more away. When they are
taken home as curiosities without being prepared as usual
by pouring melted lead into them, they are apt to cause
considerable alarm by going off in drawer or cupboard
some warm day like so many infernal machines. Before
blotting paper came into use, these fruits were used to
hold the fine sand that stood ready on every writing
table to sprinkle on the wet ink ; whence the name sand-
box tree. Then there is the endless series of berries
and succulent fruits, in which by every imaginable modi-
fication of form and colour, animals, and especially birds,
are invited to assist in the dispersion of the seed. Thus

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 337

we see the sticky seeds of the common bird-vine and
the red-stemmed bird-vine (Loranthus Theobromae and
riificaulis) carried by the kiskadees that have feasted on
the berries to the very branches that these plants need
to germinate upon, though many unfortunates get planted
on iron railings and other unpromising sites. And thus
the loafing idler who knocks down a tempting mango
from its parent-tree, and after a brief and stolen indul-
gence throws away the seed a quarter of a mile further
on, is unconsciously carrying out one of the great pur-
poses of nature in a rather different way.

An important order, the composite-flowered plants
(Compositse) , can be dismissed briefly here, as although
it is computed to contain over ten thousand species, the
local kinds are mostly small and unimportant. Perhaps
the most ubiquitous weeds of our roadsides and waste
grounds are two little plants with small, dingy lilac,
groundsel-like flowers, which become rather more con-
spicuous, though scarcely more beautiful, when the
whitish pappus begins to appear. The stouter kind,
with rounded undivided leaves, is called soldier's tassel
from the resemblance of its seeding flower-heads, on a
small scale, to the ornament that used to be worn on the
fronts of soldiers' caps. The weaker and somewhat
less abundant kind has narrow leaves variously jagged
and cut, and is known as thistle-weed. In plants
like these what is commonly called the flower is really a
flowerhead, containing a number of tiny separate flowers.
Thus if we pick a flower of the little cultivated
daisy-like feverfew (Pyrethrum) that forms a border
to the Oval at the Gardens, we are really gathering
a bunch of more than a hundred and fifty minute

UU

338 TlMEHRI.

flowers, of which a score or so are white and flattened,
composing the ray, and the rest yellow and tubular,
forming a central disk. The three chief types are, those
that have both disk and ray ; those that have only flat-
tened or strap-shaped ray-florets, like the dandelion ;
and those that have the central disk only, like the little
weeds just described. A larger relative of the soldier's
tassel is a shrub found on the Lamaha dam, &c,
where the white or faint-purplish groundsel-shaped
flowers are set in rows on spreading twiggy flower-
stalks, each stalk rather twisted at the end in the form
called scorpioid, from a fanciful resemblance to the up-
turned tail of an angry scorpion. This is the bush flea-
bane (Vernonia scorpioides) , rather conspicuous from
the number of its small white flowers. A twining com.
posite is also common, which displays its numerous
white flower-heads, fringed with the projecting stamens,
on the top of any low bushes. It is the only twining
species near town, and is a climbing guaco called bitter
tally, reputed a sovereign specific for snake bites. Any-
where among grass may be found an erect or partially
procumbent plant with narrow leaves and round white
flower-heads the size of a sixpence, which have a feeble
attempt at a ray, only forming a minute fringe round the
disk. This unimportant-looking little plant (Ecliptaalba)
called congolana, is said to be of great virtue in "lung
troubles" of all kinds, and a good dressing for cuts or
any wounds. An infusion of its leaves will also dye light
hair black if required, but ladies may regret that an
allied species, used by the ancient Romans to dye dark
hair a pale golden colour, has not yet been found in these
parts.

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 339

The only other composite we need mention here is
the white sow-thistle (Ereclhites hieracifolia) , rather
common on waste lands near town, a stoutish, rather
thistle-like, but not prickly plant, two or three feet high,
with dingy white flower-heads. Several other small-
flowered yellow or white composites will frequently
be met with.

Another very important order in temperate regions, the
umbel-bearing plants (Umbelliferx) , typical forms of
which are the celery, parsley, carrot and other plants
cultivated in the colony, has few representatives near
town, and those not typical. The penny-worts have
round platter-like leaves stalked in the middle, and small
rather wheel-shaped umbels of tiny white flowers. The
marsh penny-wort (Hydrocotyle umbellata), also called
sheep's bane, and foot-rot — the last names pointing to
poisonous qualities not rare among the umbelli ferae — is
common at the edge of water, and may be seen in
the second lake at the Gardens, where it will
be at once recognised by its round leaves, about
two inches across, held sideways like targets a few inches
above the water. A very small and delicate kind, the
dwarf penny- wort (Hydrocotyle asiatica) is often found
creeping close to the ground in moist and shady places,
especially affefting flower-pots and ferneries.

The only other representative of the order is a plant
called fitweed or fever-weed from its medicinal virtues,
(Eryngium foetidum), more like a low-growing soft-
leaved thistle than a true umbel. It may be dis-
tinguished by its star-shaped tufts of slightly prickly
leaves, and green heads with very small incon-
spicuous white flowers. It is a near relative of

UU2

340 TlMEHRI.

the handsome sea-holly whose blue flowers and
prickly glaucous leaves are a characteristic feature of
our sandy shores at home.

The larger umbels, such as cow-parsnip and wild
angelica, are great favourites with artists at home for
foreground effects, often mingled for contrast with the
broad leaves of the butter-bur or some similar plant.
Our local artists might replace them by some com-
mon weeds, not beautiful in themselves, but picturesque
and effective in composition. Instead of the umbels
might be put the tall spikes of the man-piabba,
or giant woundwort (Leonurus nepetaefolia), con-
spicuous for the large spiny ball-shaped flower-heads,
with tubular orange flowers, arranged at intervals
round the square central stem. A slenderer kind, really
belonging to a different genus, is called the woman-piabba
f Hyptis capitata) which has round flower-heads the size
of an ordinary marble growing on short stalks in pairs up
the stems. The flowers are white and inconspicuous.
It is also known as wild hops, and large specimens of it,
four or five feet high, are sometimes improperly called
man-piabba. The name woman-piabba is then given to
the white spikenard (Hyptis pedlinata) , a still slenderer
plant, common everywhere in waste land, in which the
small whitish flowers, almost hidden by the calyx, are
clustered towards the end of the erect stems, not gath-
ered into round heads. The true West Indian spikenard
(Hyptis suaveolens), does not occur here wild; but a
very aromatic species (Ocimum micranthum) with spikes
of little flowers in which the toothed calyx is more con-
spicuous than the corolla, is found sparsely by roadsides,
and is called wild balsy — a corruption of basil, not bal-

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 341

sam — or mosquito bush, from being used by particularly
sanguine persons in the hope of keeping away those in-
sects. Its affinities may be recognised from its square
erect stems and generally sage-like character.

The broad leaves of the butter-bur might be replaced
in local sketches by a common and characteristic weed
that takes its name from this colony (Solanum demera-
reitse), the wild bru-bru or Demerara night-shade,
easily recognised by its large, coarsely jagged leaves,
armed with numerous formidable prickles, its green, yellow,
or red berries the size of a small marble, and radiating
bunches of small flowers, something like those of the
potato, white or pale purplish with yellow stamens. The
potato is itself a night-shade (Solanum tuberosum) and its
leaves and berries share the poisonous properties that have
gained for these plants their popular names of canker-
berries, poison-berries and mad-apples. Another common
bru-bru of similar habit, the Jamaica night-shade (Solanum
jamaicense) has softer, almost downy leaves and stems,
with fewer and shorter, more recurved prickles. A small
slender, unarmed kind may be recognised by the char-
acter of its flowers and berries as a night-shade (Sola-
num nodiflorum) ; it is used by the "wise women" in
some of their mysterious teas under the name of bitter
goomah, and is harmless enough to be boiled as a
spinach known as branched calalu. To include the
other allied flowers, we may notice here an ornamental
climbing species, the local bitter-sweet (Solanum Seafor-
thianum) which has sprays of pale blue flowers with
yellow centres ; it is often cultivated in gardens, but is
an indigenous species, running wild in the central
avenue of the Gardens. Here also may be found a not

342 TlMEHRI.

uncommon plant, the bastard jessamine, evening oes-
trum, or blue poison-berry (Cestrum vespertinum), with
long woody stems and tubular greenish-white flowers,
about an inch long, sticking out in a spiky way along the
branches : and here or on the Lamaha dam we shall some-
times find the curious bladdery fruit, green with purple
veinings, of the pop-vine, cow-pops, or winter cherry
(Physalis angulata), whose small white flowers with
yellow stamens declare its affinity with the night-shades.
It is held here in great repute as a remedy for dropsy.

In this land of trenches and water-paths the marsh
and aquatic weeds supply us with several of our finest
wild flowers. The magnificent Victoria regia need only
be mentioned here to express a regret that in recent
years some leading botanists have robbed it of its dedi-
cation to the young queen, in the first year of whose
reign its discovery by Schomburgk up the Berbice river
excited such enthusiastic interest, and have prosaically
classed it as Euryale amazonica with some obscure East
Indian plant. The large and small white water-lilies
need only be referred to their scientific names, Nymphaea
ampla and blanda ; and a marsh lily with white hang-
ing ribbon-like petals (Crinum Commelyni), common
on tidal banks near town, could not be mistaken for any
thing but a lily, in spite of the rather spidery look of
the flowers. But we must specially notice the pontede-
rias, among the handsomest of our trench-plants, the
most conspicuous and commonest of which has large
spikes of pale mauve or lilac flowers, the upper petal of
each marked with a yellow spot bordered with a violet
tinge, and inflated stems that enable the whole plant to
float freely; this is the greater pontederia (Eichornia

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 343

speciosa), known as massowah grass- — said to be a corrup-
tion of Missouri grass — and as chinee-grass in the
Canje creek, where of late years its floating masses
block the wide water-way, completely hiding the
water, for considerable distances in certain parts;
as some of us know to our cost, having had per-
force to lie-to in it, the helpless and sleepless prey
of mosquitoes and inse6ts innumerable, both small
and great beasts, through the long hours of a tropical
night. Another common native kind, the lesser ponte-
deria (Eichornia azurea), with shorter, less showy heads,
and no yellow in the flowers, may be found in various
trenches round the town and on the second lake at the
Gardens ; and near it is established the purple ponte-
deria, (Eichornia tricolor), with loose spreading racemes
of smaller violet flowers, with two patches of yellow on
the upper flower-leaf.

Most of the other ornamental flowers in these lakes
are introduced from various countries ; but we may
notice an indigenous plant, self-introduced, in the rather
large and handsome primrose-yellow three-petalled
flowers of the yellow water plantain or water primrose
(Hydrocleis H umboldiianum) ; it is abundant among the
sacred lotuses on the first lake, and in the pool in the
"zoo," and not uncommon in our trenches, as for in-
stance in front of Ruimveldt, but can only be seen
blooming in the morning hours. A litttle trench-plant
named after the same great traveller (Limnanthemum
Humboldtianurri), with flowers easily distinguished by
their five distinctly fringed white petals, may often be
found among it.

As light and air are not so lavishly supplied under

344 TlMEHRI.

water as above it, most water plants are adapted to their
life in one of three ways : either they float their leaves
upon the water, drinking in sufficient air from their
broad surfaces to supply the whole plant, as in the water-
lilies; or they float bodily upon the water like the pon-
tederias, and the little salvinia (S. auriculata) that
constantly covers the end of the third lake, in spite of
the tons of it that are periodically removed ; and the tiny
reddish, imbricated and moss-like azolla (A. caro-
liniana) that mantles the surfaces of the trenches
in sheltered parts; or, lastly, they have their leaves
so finely divided into hair-like segments, on the
same principle as a fish's gills, that they are able to
live under water, presenting sufficient surface to obtain
the supply of air that is as necessary for plants as
animals. But if they are flowering plants, the blossoms
must be matured above the water, and hence special
flowering stems are sent up, sometimes spirally twisted
so as to rise and fall with the water, sometimes supported
by floating leaves quite unlike the lower leaves in general
appearance, though it will be found that the external out-
line is the same in both. A familiar example of this is the
water-shields or blanket-grass (Cabomba aquatica), far
too abundant for planters — and anglers — in the Lamaha
and all fresh water trenches, whose little stalked yellow
flowers are supported by a few small floating lily leaves,
while those under water are quite fillamentous. The
bladder-worts, common up the Lamaha and in the second
lake, with spikes of small yellow "snapdragon" flowers,
do not need this support, as some of the finely-divided
submerged leaves are covered with tiny bladders which
keep them floating near the surface. These plants are

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 345

so thoroughly adapted to a floating life that many of
them do not produce roots at all, but depend for nourish-
ment on what they find in the water. It is probable,
however, that they are to a great extent carnivorous
in their habits, like the sun-dews, Venus's fly-trap, and
many other kinds of plants. The little bladders are so
fitted with valves and bristles that each one a6ls as a
trap or crab-pot for catching the minute water-fleas and
other animalcula with which the water abounds, and the
bodies of these victims appear to be assimilated by
some process of vegetable digestion that is not yet
thoroughly explained Besides the larger kind, with its
finely-divided leaves spreading out under water — a grace-
ful plant for the aquarium, — a very small-flowered kind
(Utricularia obtusa) will be seen in patches here and
there, with floating rafts of matted leaves and stems like
bundles of green hors^-hair. Two or three other kinds
common up the Lamaha, one a pretty blue and yellow
water snap-dragon, do not seem to have reached town.
These pla::is may be particularly commended to micros-
copists, as more definite information about their car-
nivorous habits can only be obtained by them.

We must now hasten to bring our wanderings among
the wild flowers to an end, but there are still many com-
mon plants unmeritioned which must be included to
make our survey lairly complete. Perhaps our best way
will be to take a final stroll through the Gardens, and
then to visit the Kitty corner, where several character-
istic sea-shore plants have established themselves on che
sands that were open sea a few years ago.

In the open parts of the Gardens where the grass has
not been too recently cut we shall everywhere find Derne-

XX

346 TlMEHRI.

rara clover, sweethearts, thistle-weed, and soldier's tassel,
and the leafy heads and little pale mauve flowers of
Beloperone nemorosa, a very variable weed ; the stems
are wiry and straggling, and the heads are formed of
dense over-lapping leafy bra6ls, making a four-sided
blunted spike from one to four inches in length ; the
five-lobed corollas peeping or hanging from these heads
are sometimes almost noticeably pretty, but more often
small and insignificant. More sparsely will be seen the
congo-lana, the dark papilionaceous flowers of the wild
gully-root, and the conspicuous petunia-like blossoms,
mauve-blue shaded with indigo, of the spirit-leaf, snap-
dragon, menow-root, or minnie-root (Ruellia tuber-
osaj ; the two last names may be a corruption of
many-root, as it has large bundles of tuberous
roots, "good for all diseases," as I am certified by a
local " wise woman,''- but the origin of the others is un-
known to me. We may also notice here and there
a neat-looking herb with lanceolate, serrated leaves,
which catch the eye by the symmetrically " twilled" look
given by the indented ribs ; it is known as the wild
green-tea bush, and is said to make good tea as a drink,
not a physic ; the close-bristling, rounded, and ternately
divided capsules are more conspicuous than the minute
white flowers. The same name is sometimes given to
one of the broom-weeds (Capraria biflora). a shrubby
herb, which grows two or three feet high, commonest
near but not on the sea-shore ; it has lanceolate, deeply
serrated, not twilled, leaves, and little five-cleft white
flowers, and is also called wild senna and goat-weed. A
smaller and slenderer kind found by road-sides, in the
Kitty village for instance, with delicate white flowers

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 347

growing up the stalks in an interrupted leafy spike, and
narrow serrated leaves, is the sweet-broom or liquorice-
weed (Scoparia dulcis) . The term broom-weed is also
applied here to the little tough-stemmed yellow mallows
to be noticed presently, that grow along the road-sides.
The spurges are common weeds in these and all gar-
dens. The most noticeable is an ere6l slender-branched
plant a foot or two high, with narrow finely-serrated
leaves and many axillary clusters of tiny white or pinkish
flowers, generally mixedwiththegreenorpurplish rounded
seeds, not bigger than a large pin's head. This kind is
called milk-weed, fowl-tongue, or " man" dove-weed, and
its milky juice is held to be good for purifying the blood.
Under the name of the tutsan-leaved spurge — a transla-
tion of its scientific name, Euphorbia hypericifoiia — it
is dignified with a whole copper-plate in the last edition
of the Encyclopaedia Britannica as a type of its order.
The small leaves of the spurges, almost like the pinnate
leaflets of some of the leguminosae, give a rather laddery
look to the stems, which is most noticeable in the pros-
trate kinds. The dove-weed or red milk-weed (Euphor-
bia pilulifera), common everywhere, has minute olive
green or reddish flowers and fruit crowded up the
brownish stems, which are more often prostrate than
ere6l. The tiny nutlets of this and the next kind are a
favourite food of the ground doves common here. A
still smaller and more creeping kind, with numerous
pairs of rounded leaflets less than half an inch long, is
the thyme-leaved spurge or dove-weed (Euphorbia thy-
mifoiia), common on the paths ; and at least one other
small prostrate kind is often found with it. An allied
plant called Surinam bitters {Phyllantlius Niruri) , /about

X X2

34^ TlMEHRl.

the size of the first milk-weed, has drooping pinnate-
looking leaves, suggesting a sensitive plant, and may be
known at once by the minute globular green flowers and
fruit being set along the stalks at the back of the leaves,
which have to be raised to discover them. Perhaps for
this reason it is used as a remedy for all pains in the
back, much as the swollen and puffy capsules of the pop-
vine seem to have suggested its use for dropsy.

Another common weed of the paths is the purslane,
with fleshy stems and leaves, and yellow flowers, too
familiar to need further description. This plant is so
constantly spoken of in the books as "a well-known
pot-herb," though no one ever heard of a dish of purs-
lane, that 1 once as a scientific experiment had some
boiled for a dinner vegetable. The result was a watery
and inferior kind of spinach, and I agree with the guarded
statement of an old writer on Barbados, that " it may be
boil'd and us d when no better Greens are in Plenty."

In moist par's of the avenue and elsewhere we shall
see the small vivid blue blossoms of the blue pond-weed,
punda-grass, or water-grass (Commelyna nudiflora) ,
which has straggling grass-like stems and leaves, and
three petals to the flower, the two side ones shaped like
tiny scoops ; it is sometimes called Demerara forget-
me-not. Under the trees we may notice the erect fleshy
purplish stems and scalloped succulent leaves of the
leaf-of-life plant (Bryophyllum calycinum) , which has a
curious way of perpetuating its kind ; the leaves are origi-
nally terriate, but some of the large leaflets drop off early,
and if they fall on damp soil put lorth marginal buds, which
b< < ome perfect little plants long before the leaf has faded ;
hence it is sometimes called hen-and-chickens plant.

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 349

The common primrose willow (J-ussidsa erecla) is
a slender branching shrub, from a foot to six feet
high, distinguished by its linear-lanceolate leaves
and four-petalled yellow flowers about the size of a
"bit," with one of the four points of the calyx showing
between each petal ; the stalks turn red as the plant
matures. Two kinds of greater primrose willows are
found near town, with flowers as big as a shilling, and
elongated seed-capsules an inch to an inch and a half
long ; the largest kind (J. nervosa) is sometimes called
yellow loose-strife.

At the top of the Gardens the common convolvulus or
wild-potato (Ipomsea fastigiata) is frequent on the
bushes, its flowers pale purple with a darker centre ;
and the creamy-yellow miama is generally in flower: in
the trenches we shall see the leaves if not the flower of
the large white water-lily, the little yellow blossoms of the
blanket-weed, and generally the fine lilac spikes of the
greater pontederia. On the dam of the Lamaha several
noticeable flowers will be found without going more than
fifty yards either way: the wild starch (Heliconia psitta-
corum), with its glossy glaive-shaped leaves and orange-
red flowers, sheathed in bracks of the same colour and
tipped with blackish marks : the red and yellow tassels
of the wild coffee bush (Palicourea aurantiaca), formed
by red flower-stalks and waxy yellow tubular flowers,
which are succeeded by a cluster of purple-black berries :
here and there the tall straight stems, with dull purplish
foxglove-like flowers, of the strong-scented sesamum,
zezegany, vanglo, or wangilla (Sesamum indicum) —
more common on the Race Course road, — which produces
the oily seeds called sesame, whose name opened the cave

350 TlMEHRI.

of the Forty Thieves for AH Baba : and two conspicuous
white flowers, one the well-known wild jessamine (Randia
Mussamdas), with the pointed lobes of its tubular flowers
slightly bent to one side, suggesting the shape of a screw-
propeller ; the other, the wild ginger (Costus niveus), with
thick green stems, smooth undivided leaves, and
large heads of green bra6fcs, from which only one
large hood-shaped blossom opens at a time, in a one-
sided and rather disappointing fashion. Here too
we shall find plenty of the bright red and orange verbena-
like flowers of the sweet-sage or white-sage (Lantana
camara), with strongly aromatic leaves ; it may be com-
pared with the black-sage (Cordia Aubletii) , common
here and everywhere, which has narrow, less pleasantly
aromatic leaves, and little spikes of whitish flowers, and is
the best bush for making fascines for sea-dams ; a still
more ornamental kind of sweet-sage (Lantana biflora) ,
with pink or white flowers with vellow throats, is found in
sheltered places lower down the Gardens. About twenty
yards north of the seat under the bamboos we may often
find the wild musk-ochro (Abelmoschus moschatus) in
flower, with large bright-yellow hibiscus-like blossoms
with a purple base, rough halbert-shaped leaves, and large
capsules something like the common ochro. The wild
heliotrope, turnsole, or white clary (Heliotropium indi-
cum) can scarcely be mistaken by any one who knows
the cultivated flower ; it has crumpled sage-like leaves
and curved, flattened, and crowded spikes of very
pale mauve or white blossoms ; it has not the pleasant
scent that has gained the heliotrope at home the
name of cherry-pie, but if presented .with suitable
expression it means " / love you" just the same

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 351

as in the old country. Everywhere on the dam we
shall see the thin, twisted, purplish spikes of an allied plant,
the common vervain, called here ver-vine and even bur-
vine (Stachytarpha nepetsefolia), with a few small pale
mauve blossoms on each spike ; a rather prettier kind
with blue flowers, but the same unconscionable propor-
tion of spike to blossom, is the Jamaica vervain (S.jamai-
cense) less common here, but a weed in several places ; for
instance, by a most unlovely trench in New North Road,
half-way between Camp Street and Waterloo Street.

On this dam we shall also find many plants already
described, such as the rattle-wort, the yellow seaside
peas, the sesban or swamp pea, the bitter tally, the bush
flea-bane, the little heart-pea, and many others : besides
several undescribed kinds, of which we will only men-
tion the calabash tree, the wild guava, and a large swamp
bush (Anona palustris), with dull yellowish and reddish
flowers, succeeded by greenish fruits as big as an apple,
known as the alligator-apple tree, monkey-apple tree,
and corkwood.

On the road to the Kitty we shall see the sweet-sage
and black-sage, the wild ipecacuanha, and the blue flowers
of the minnie-root : but the commonest weed is the
bush-mallow known as the jumbi ochro (Malachra
capitata), something like a weedy hollyhock, with yellow
flowers surrounded by curiously folded leafy bracls
covered with viscid hairs, and straggling stems, growing
six or seven feet long in uncleared spots. A white kind
will be seen growing with it, with a more hispid growth
and slightly stinging hairs, the white stinging mallow
(M. radiata) ; they are not very attractive plants at any
time, but are seen to most advantage in the morning, as

352 TlMEHRI.

they close their flowers and begin to fold the leaves up the
stem quite early in the afternoon. Two or three smaller
yellow mallows or rather malvindas (Sida rhomb if olia
and others) are common roadside weeds : they have
tough twiggy stems and narrow serrated leaves, but
may be recognised as akin to the mallows by the
small but characteristic yellow flowers, and the green
stalked capsules, which somewhat resemble the " cheeses"
picked by children from the pink and purple mallows
at home. We have already noticed the name broom-
weed given to them from the use they are sometimes
put to ; one kind that spreads on the ground with a
humble prostrate growth is called the pray-pray
broom-weed.

A stranger to the tropics may be interested to see the
cotton bushes (Gossypium barbadense) growing here and
there on the far side of the trench, and declaring them-
selves unmistakably by their bunches of white cotton-
wool. The cultivation of cotton once extended all along
the front lands of the coast estates, and was temporarily
revived during the American war, and these trees are no
doubt survivals from that time.

Arrived at the sands, whose only drawback is that
they are apt to remind one too forcibly of Araby the
Blest, or the breezes that blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle,
from the unfortunate contrast they present; and noting
as we step on to them the long " pimpler" spikes of the
watchman plant and the dark serrated leaves and small
white flowers of the wild senna bush or goat-weed ; we
shall probably notice first the smooth lanceolate leaves
and bright yellow blossoms of a shrubby, partially twin-
ing bush called the wild physic-nut, (Stigmaphyllum) :

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 353

each of the five petals, which have a wavy, almost fringed
contour, stands somewhat apart from the others on a
short stalk or claw, so that the flower cannot be mistaken
for any other. Near it we shall find the conspicuous
yellow papilionaceous flowers and ternate leaves of the
seaside pea, trailing and twining in a thick bush. Another
much larger papilionaceous plant, trailing but not twin-
ing, with big trifoliate leaves, long stout pods, and purple
flowers, is the seaside bean (Canavalia obtusifolia),
already mentioned. Its runners are mingled with the
long trailing stems of the nanny-foot convolvulus or sea-
side potato (Ipomasa pes-capra?), whose rather heart-
shaped leaves are cloven at the rounded end so as to
present some resemblance to the foot of a goat ; the
flowers are purplish and rather large. Two other con-
volvuluses are found twining on the bushes instead of
trailing on the sands: one resembles the common purple
convolvulus or wild potato already noticed. This and
the last are popularly named from their tuberous roots,
akin to the sweet potato (Ipomsea batatas) , itself a con-
volvulus not unfrequently found running wild; not from
any affinity with the ordinary potato, which, as we have
seen, is a nightshade. The other convolvulus is a large
handsome kind called the morning glory (I. tuba),
whose pure white blossoms, two or three inches across,
are only to be seen expanded towards dusk or in the
early morning. The seeds of this and the nanny-foot
convolvulus are downy with a brown plush-like pile, and
may be strung into necklaces, somewhat resembling,
though much inferior to, those made by the Indians from
the velvety seeds of the moorie (Quiina guianensis) ,
sometimes seen in town.

Y Y

354 TlMEHRI.

Three or four kinds of the fleshy-leaved, succulent
plants characteristic of the sea-shore will be met with
here ; the one with pink flowers — the colour being really
given by the calyx, for it has no petals — is the seaside
purslane (Sesuvium portulacastritm) . A weak, diffuse
plant with small round whitish flower-heads, is a species
of seaside everlasting plant or rupture-wort (Alternan-
thera ficoidea) ; a larger plant, straggling among the
bushes or rooting by runners, with almost cylindrical
leaves like little pea-pods, and minute greenish-white
flowers in short heads in the axds of the upper leaves, is
the barilla or Jamaica samphire (Batis maritima) ; and,a
rather similar plant, common on the Kelly dam and fur-
ther up the road, with white flowers in scorpioid spikes,
grey-green glaucous leaves, and tiny nutlets for its fruit,
is the sea-side heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) ,
also called wild lavender.

Among the higher flowering bushes here the com-
monest is the well-known courida bush (Aviccnnia
nitida), with lanceolate leaves and small bunches of white
or cream-coloured flowers, dotted with the dark projecting
stamens, and generally mixed with already faded blossoms.
There is nobetterplantthanthisforbindingand preserving
an exposed sea-shore, its roots everywhere penetrating
the soil and sending up short upright processes, from which
engineers might well have taken the plan of driving in
stakes to break the waves upon a sea-front in shallow
water. Here too we shall find the wild mahoe fPatt-
tium tiliaceumj, growing twelve or fifteen feet high, with
broad rounded leaves curiously snipped into a short
abrupt point at the end of the mid-rib, and large yellow
flowers like an hibiscus ; and the seaside mahoe or poplar

Wild Flowers of Georgetown. 355

tree (Thespesia populnea) , with very similar yellow
flowers shaded with purple, and handsome glossy leaves,
heart-shaped at the base and pointed, and conspicuously
marked with the light green mid-rib and veins relieved
upon a darker ground. Both are good fibre plants, their
inner bark furnishing a kind of bast commonly used
by gardeners.

Here our botanical rambles round Georgetown must
end for the present. If they have seemed somewhat
tedious, I may remind my readers that they need not be
taken all at once, as my notes are intended for reference
rather than continuous reading. When I began this
paper I hoped to be able to give a sufficient description
of our commoner wild flowers to enable any one who had
noticed them to recall their features as he read. But this
soon proved impossible in the space at command, and
the descriptions had to be cut down to a few salient
points, sufficient in most cases to identify the species
when gathered and examined with its congeners, though
scarcely to suggest its appearance. These abbreviated
descriptions have been taken direct from freshly gathered
plants, and, trivial as some may seem, they may be
depended on so far as they go. Thus, to take a speci-
men or two, a yellow papilionaceous flower profusely
marked with blackish specks outside the standard is sure
to be the sesban or swamp-pea; a grass-like plant with
a small three-petalled flower of vivid blue must be the
blue pond-grass or Demerara forget-me-not, and so on.
Thus, if the necessity of writing a catalogue rather than
a description has robbed the subject of much of its pic-
turesqueness, I hope that it may have increased the use-
fulness of the paper to those \vho care to find out

Y Y 2

356 TlMEHRI.

for themselves the names of some of our most frequent
wild flowers.

I shall be very much obliged to any reader who will
add to, or point out any errors in, the collection of pop-
ular names here given : as with the exception of a few
English names given in Grisebach, and in Dalton, there
are no authorities to refer to on this interesting branch
of the subject, which, after making allowance for the
fact that certain names are generic rather than specific,
is much more definite and precise than botanists would
at first suppose.

Caracas as a Place of Resort.

By W. J. Smith, Commander, Royal Mail Steamer " Eden.'

|HE travelling community and my friends in the
West Indies have frequently asked informa-
tion about Caracas and its desirability gene-
rally as a place of resort. The following few pages are
intended to furnish concisely what might be interesting
to those who are in search of change and rest within a
convenient distance.

Our geographies tell us that Caracas, the capital of
the province and the seat of Government of the Republic
of Venezuela, is situated at the western end of the plain
of Chacao, 2,880 feet above the sea level. It is seven
miles from the coast as the crow flies, but the road to
reach it is twenty-two miles in length. In 1883 it was
said to contain a population of over 70,000.

After numerous visits to this capital I maintain that
no more suitable or enjoyable place could be selected by
residents in the West Indies in search of a change near
at hand. The facilities which are now offered by the
R.M.S.P. Co. to reach it and spend a few days should
not be missed by those who are in need of rest, change
of air, and complete separation from the ordinary rou-
tine of colonial life. The sea voyage from Demerara
via Barbados and Trinidad en route to La Guayra, the
seaport of Caracas,, is in itself much to be commended.
After leaving Barbados the passage need not be dreaded
for the sea is always smooth, and the change of scenery
from day to day breaks all monotony.

358 TlMEHRI.

Arriving at La Guayra on Sunday morning one finds
that the trains leave for Caracas conveniently at eight
o'clock and in the afternoon at three. The latter time
is to be preferred since it gives a longer time to prepare
while the heat of the day is greatly diminished.

The railway from La Guayra to Caracas is a wonderful
piece of engineering. It has a narrow gauge of three
feet. In some respects it much resembles the line from
Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, which, at a distance of
1 10 miles from the coast, ascends to a height of 8,000
feet, the gradients being about 1 in 27. The Caracas
railway was built by English engineers in 1884, and the
line was completed in two years under the guidance of
Messrs. PERRY & Co. To the credit of the present
management, it can be said that no loss of life, nor
accident of a serious nature, has occurred. To convey
an idea of the character of the railway it may be stated
that the line is at places carried along a ledge cut into
the face of the perpendicular rock some 3,000 feet high,
where a biscuit thrown out of the carriage would fall
1,800 feet before touching the ground. The curves of
the line are very sharp, and at times the engine appears
as if it belonged to another train coming in the opposite
direction.

The scenery between La Guayra and Caracas is superb,
and one journeys through wonderful mountain passes,
with valleys opening out at every turn The magnificence
of the country is better seen on the way down from Cara-
cas, and the whole view is then enchanting in the extreme.

The station, or depot, at Caracas is large and im-
posing. The unwary traveller, on his arrival, is at once
pounced upon by the natives for the exclusive right of

Caracas as a Place of Resort. 359

running off with the hand baggage, but if they are
firmly remonstrated with, they are civil enough and cease
to be aggressive.

There are always plenty of carriages at hand to con-
vey visitors to the hotels. These carriages are each
drawn by two sturdy little horses which travel along
over rough stones, pits and boulders, in a most remark-
able manner. The vehicles are lightly made with good
springs, and are well equipped ; and both driver and
beast are well found, the former being civil and obliging.
Cab hire is necessarily expensive, about two shillings a
mile. There are, however, tramways intersecting the
city, which run throughout the day, and late at night,
the fare for any distance being five cents.

When one visits a new place, and intends remaining
a few days, the question naturally asked is, " What are
the hotels like? " In former times, and until lately, the
hotels of Caracas were its great disappointment ; they
were of the worst description, and there was not a
single modern comfort attached to them. Happily, how-
ever, the great influx of visitors, chiefly Americans, and
the demand of the better class of Venezuelans, have
altered this, and now the hotels " St. Amand *' and
" Americano " are good enough. The latest and best
hotel is the "Grande," just completed, and fitted with
every convenience, the bath and sanitary arrangements
being perfect.

The attractions of the city are numerous. The public
gardens, over which is the " Paseo del Calvario," are
pleasantly situated, tastefully laid out and planted, and
within easy walking distance of the stations and hotels.
On Calvario was, until quite recently, the finest statue of

360 TlMEHRI.

General GUZMAN Blanco, the late President of Vene-
zuela ; but his enemies, a few days ago, pulled it down,
and the spot is being prepared for the figure of the
country's future ruler, whoever he may be.*

To attempt to describe scenery for the intending
tourist is, I think, a mistake. It will be sufficient in a
few words to say, that one may travel a long way to find
the view from Calvario surpassed. One gets lost in
contemplation of such a sight, the city being not unlike
many in Spain, and with its quaint churches and flat
red-roofed dwelling-houses lying in a hollow. The
mountain landscape surrounding the city is in itself per-
fect; and the scene is one of those the effe6t of
which one feels rather than wishes to describe.

There is a fine plaza called Bolivar, after the libera-
tor and regenerator of the country, SlMON BOLIVAR ;
and in the centre of this plaza is a monument, in ever
grateful memory of this great hero. On special even-
ings, the plaza is crowded with the elite of Caracas
society, and a good band plays. The surroundings,
face?, language, all are Spanish ; and one quite forgets
for the time that he is not in some Spanish city, and
that he is but a few miles away from his home in Trini-
dad or British Guiana.

If the question were asked, " For what is Caracas
famous?" I should unhesitatingly say, "For its pure
air." The average temperature is 710, the highest re-
corded in midsummer is 82°, and it descends in winter
to 520. The best time for making a visit to the coun-
try is from December to April.

The museums of Caracas ought not to be left

* Senor Raol Paol has been recently elected President.

Caracas as a Place of Resort. 361

unvisited. Dr. ERNST, the present Librarian and Cura-
tor, is always anxious that visitors should inspect the
National Collections. The room set apart for the relics
of Simon Bolivar, and other worthies, is as jealously
guarded as NELSON'S in the Painted Hall at Greenwich.
The University, the Hall of Congress, the National
Gallery, the Mint, and the " Panteon Nacional" are all
fine buildings. In the latter SlMON BOLIVAR is buried, and
near at hand rest the remains of several English and
Irish officers who fought against Spain for Venezuelan
Independence. The National Gallery^contains a paint-
ing, "The Signing of Independence," by a native artist.
This, which is a work of some merit, will bear much
inspection, and has been favourably commented upon.
The Mint, organised by GUZMAN BLANCO, is compara-
tively a new institution, and is under a perfect system.
For those who have never visited a coin-making estab-
lishment, the Mint is well worth the undertaking. The
Venezuelan coin is exceedingly pretty.

Caracas boasts of two theatres — one small, and the
other styled the " Grand Theatro de Guzman Blanco."
The latter is chiefly used for the opera, and the Govern-
ment gives a subvention to attract troupes from France
and Spain. It is a large building, well adapted for the
climate, and tastefully decorated. On a full night one
might fancy that one is in a similar place of entertain-
ment in Europe. The Amateur Philharmonic Society
generally uses one or other of the theatres, when the
opera season is over, for their concerts ; and admirable
concerts they are. Many of the artistes show what the
Conservatoire in Paris and other places have done for
them in training them efficiently.

Z Z

362 TlMEHRI.

The city also contains a Bull Ring, and once a week
this is generally in fall swing. It is patronised princi-
pally by the lower classes.

I visited it once, just to say that I had seen a bull
fight. I shall not readily forget the sight. In a large
building, some eight or nine hundred people had assem-
bled. After frantic impatience on their part a bull came
bounding into the ring, looking wildly around for a
victim to gore, or something to eat. I believe the latter>
for it really looked very famished. The minor a£tors in
the fight were not long in putting in an appearance, and
then the battle commenced. It seemed to me that the
attacking party, five in number, were new to the
business, or afraid of pushing matters too far, for they
approached the bull with great consideration. Now and
then the more venturesome would manage to get their
dart in somewhere, and then dart out somewhere
leaving their red flag in the ring for the animal to
inspect. This byplay after a time made the bull furious,
and the audience vexed : there was a demand for the
" Matador," and that great man made his appearance,
being received with yells of wild delight, which aston-
ished the bull and restored his senses. It was now to
be a single combat between man and beast ; the latter
had rested, and was ready for his new antagonist ; the
man seemingly equal to the occasion. As the fight waxed
fast and furious the excitement of the spectators kept pace.

It was a long struggle, or it seemed so to me, but
matters were at last coming to a crisis, man or bull
must fall ; if the former there would be more excitement.

To relieve suspense and the general quietness which
prevailed, a god in the gallery cried out in Spanish,

Caracas as a Place of Resort. ^363

" Keep up, hombre, don't be afraid, treat him like you
would an Englishman !" This caused considerable mirth ;
and I was anxious to see if the suggestion of the gods'
representative would be carried out, and how. I was
not long kept in a state of uncertainty. The Matador
regained strength and courage, and the bull received
what was supposed to be his death blow, a huge stab in
the neck, really a stab given in the dark. The animal fell
exhausted, and the hero of the day ran out of the arena •

GUZMAN BLANCO in a decree prohibited the bulls being
killed in the fight, they are only to be stunned, and
afterwards slaughtered in the usual manner. I suppose
it was meant as an a<5t of mercy.

The English, at the time of which I write, 1886, were
in the height of disfavour with the Venezuelans. The
vexed question of " Boundary" between Venezuela and
British Guiana had again come to the front. There were
also matters of a grave nature between Trinidad and
Venezuela, the former, or the Government at home,
demanding an indemnity for injustice done to subjects
and their property. Three British Men-of-War, the
Comus, Emerald, and Lily, were at anchor in La Guayra
roadstead ready to enforce these demands, either by
seizing the Custom House, or bombarding the town, and,
rumour had it, if necessary, throw a shell into Caracas.
Diplomatic relations with England had ceased, and the
British Minister safe on board the Comus. These were
disquieting times for English visitors to Caracas ; never-
theless, one heard little of these disputes talked over in
society. The majority of the merchants had sufficient
trouble of their own near at hand to concern them and
their prosperity.

ZZ2

364 TlMEHRI.

The President was grasping, the taxes were excessive,
and enterprise, like the railway, all up-hill work. A few
outside differences, to the merchants, did not matter
much, probably they cared less ; and our god in the
gallery likely enough felt his country's wrong more
keenly than his betters.

While describing the various sights of Caracas, the
Cathedral and other places of worship must not be over-
looked. They are generally crowded in the early
morning. The Venezuelans are Catholics, and hear
Mass and go to Confession. Their churches are kept in
good repair, the priests are charitable, and the poorer
classes have bread, as well as religion, doled out to them.
The private residences of the wealthy are well built,
adapted to suit the climate, and fashioned after the
Spanish style, with flat roofs and with rooms large and
airy ; a court-yard, generally well stocked with plants
and flowers, separates the bed-rooms from the day-rooms.
The Douche Baths, near the station, have become
quite an institution in the city. They are greatly in de-
mand by visitors, and the better class of residents, after the
early morning coffee — and such coffee ! The Venezuelans
must have taught themselves the art of producing the finest
results from the berry which is cultivated in the country,
and so justly famous in most parts of the world.

The suburbs of Caracas are but few, and better seen
from a distance. Antimone is by far the prettiest. Here
the President has a country seat, the large gardens of
which were laid out under the supervision of Madame
Guzman Blanco, who, with her two daughters, took the
greatest interest in all the surroundings of their retreat,
and were the means of making that retreat so charming.

Caracas as a Place of Resort. 365

Before taking leave of Caracas, a few particulars
must be given respecting time, and other matters of
importance relative to the journey to the capital and
back — information which will be useful to residents in
the West Indies.

A visitor from Demerara leaving by the Inter-colonial
Steamer, via Barbados, would, at the shortest, be away
from the colony a day less than three weeks. I calcu-
late that the expenses, including return passage, inci-
dental expenses on the voyage, and three days' stay at
Caracas, would amount on the average to a little over £1
a day. From Trinidad, individual expenses would be, for
the seven days' away, a trifle more per day, and from
the Northern Islands the same as from Demerara. It may
be mentioned that passports are no longer needed.

There can be no reasonable demur brought against
these charges as being extravagant or excessive, pro-
bably they are far less than the ordinary run of daily
expenses on shore.

With government officials there is another considera-
tion, and that is the question of leave. Many officials
say "If I take three weeks' leave in the year it
counts against my long leave which I am entitled to
after so many years' service." That may be so. But
what is three weeks' leave in the year after all, out of
the four, six, or, it may be twelve months' leave to which
the official is entitled ? Granted that such an one has
worked hard day by day for two or three years, and then
returns to England to enjoy his leave. Is it generally
all enjoyment ? Or it may be that he has had no change
of air, or pursuit, for a very long time and then returns
home in failing health, with a liver out of order, or

366 TlMEHRI.

suffering in a multitude of ways. The first period, at
any rate, of such leave at home, is generally occupied in
consulting specialists. Medical bills he finds heavy,
but they have to be met ; and it is only after a month or
so that he " feels fit."

A change in time, and at the right time, is certainly
the one thing necessary ; and the old story of prevention
being worth so many ounces of cure, is as good, in our
time, and in the tropics, as ever it was.

A trip to Caracas offers special advantages and, with-
out doubt, improves both body and mind.

In Memoriam.

E. E. H. Francis, died Saturday. August 31st,

1889, aged 38.

(See Minutes of the Oftober Meeting of the Society.)

D. C. Cameron, died Saturday, November 9th,

1889, aged 50.

(See Minutes of the November Meeting of the Society.)

Report of the Meetings of the Society.

Meeting held on the nth July. — G. H. Hawtayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 10 members present.

Elections. — Members : Messrs. C. L. Payne, R. B.
Pratt, and Col. the Hon. R. S. Cotton.

Associates : Messrs. A. W. Swain, N. B.
Winter, R. J. Ferguson, T. H. K. Moulder,
Edmund Jones, and E. A. Jackman.

The Chairman read a Report from the Agricultural
Committee, on the proje6l of Mr. Gieffers for establish-
ing a large Starch Manufactory in the colony, recom-
mending the Society to encourage the formation of a
Company to carry out the plan, and also to grant a bonus
of $500 for the first shipment of 50 brls. of starch grown
and manufactured here.

Mr. Cameron, in moving the adoption of the Report,
spoke in favour of the project, but as Mr. Gieffers had
already left the colony, the matter was allowed to drop.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Directors
had filled up the vacancies in their body caused by the
absence from the colony of Messrs. P. H. Nind and M.
Garnett, by Messrs. Jos. Monkhouse and Ferris Grant.

The Chairman stated that he had received a letter
from Mr. Luke M. Hill, resigning his office of Honorary
Secretary on account of his being about to leave the
colony on the 20th inst., at the same time stating that
he was unavoidably prevented from attending the present
meeting.

Mr. D. C. Cameron, in proposing the acceptance of

Report of Society's Meetings. 369

Mr. Hill's resignation as from the 20th inst., wished also
to propose that a vote of thanks be given to Mr. Hill fur
the able services he had rendered to the Society. He
had taken the appointment of Secretary at a time when
there was a great difficulty in filling the office, and he was
very sorry that they were about to lose his services. At
the same time he felt sure that he only re-echoed the
feelings of the other members of the Society in saying
that he hoped his trip would be a pleasant one, and that
they would be only too glad to welcome him back again.
The vote of thanks was cordially and unanimously
adopted, and the question of appointing an Honorary
Secretary laid over.

Mr. Cameron gave notice of motion to the effect that
" The Meetings of the Society shall be held in the Reading Rooms
instead of the Exchange Room, in future."

Mr. N. Darnell Davis gave notice of motion as follows :
" It is desirable that the best route for connecting British Guiana
with Trinidad by cable should be authoritatively ascertained.

" This Society therefore respectfully requests His Excellency the
Governor to take such steps as to His Excellency may seem best, to
induce the Imperial Government to cause a Hydrographical Survey to
be made of the bed of the sea lying between the two colonies, so as to
obviate the numerous interruptions to telegraphic communication with
other countries from which British Guiana has hitherto suffered."

The Chairman read a letter from Major Walthall
covering a communication from the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, as to tropical productions and fruits. A
pamphlet, " Report on Tropical and Semi-Tropical
Fruits in the U.S.," had also been forwarded, from
which the Chairman read several extracts as to bananas,
oranges, avocado pears, and mangoes.

The thanks of the Society were given to Dr. Landre
of the Hague for copies of two pamphlets on Leprosy.

3A

37° TlMEHRI.

The venerable doctor, who was now eighty years old,
had for many years believed in the propagation of
Leprosy by contagion, as one of the pamphlets shows
by its title, " De la Contagion seule cause de la propa-
gation de la Lepre.''

Mr. Quelch exhibited a very large stone implement or
adze which had been lately bought for the Museum ; and
related that its late owner, who had represented it to have
been a "thunderbolt," had given a characteristic story of
its having fallen when a girl had lately been killed by
lightning; it had been taken from a trench in Charles-
town.

The meeting- then terminated.

Meeting held on the 8th August. — G. H. Havvtayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 12 members present.
Elections. — Members : Messrs. J. H. Burgess, S. R.
Cochran, and J. W. Dorman.

Associates : Messrs. J. M. Moncrieffe,
Veerasawmy, J. Cadle, and J. H. Smellie.
The election of Mr. S. A. Campbell was deferred for
enquiries as to salary, to determine his eleclion to asso-
ciate or full membership.

Mr. R. J. Kelly, who, until the arrival of the President,
acted as the Chairman, informed the meeting that Mr.
Thos. Daly had been elected Honorary Secretary by the
Board of Directors, and had kindly accepted the office.
The President informed the meeting that Mr. E. F.
im Thurn had been proposed by the Board of Dire6tors

Report of Society's Meetings. 371

as an Honorary Member, and that the nomination would
be brought up at the next General Meeting.

The Secretary read a Report from the Committee of
Correspondence, stating first, that the proposed Exhibi-
tion at Buxton had been abandoned owing to the lack of
interest on the part of the persons for whose benefit it
had been intended ; and second, that the money voted
by the Combined Court would be retained in hand
towards the next Central Exhibition in Georgetown.
. The President proposed the adoption of the Report,
which was seconded by Mr. Geo. Little, Jnr. As an
amendment, it was proposed by Mr. N. D. Davis, and
seconded by Mr. W. Cunningham, that the Committee of
Correspondence be requested to reconsider the matter,
especially in regard to the latter portion of the Report,
as an Exhibition in another part of the colony might be
more successful.

Mr. Cunningham said that something might be done
now that Mr. Daly who was well known to feel an
interest in the matter had come back.

Mr. Daly said if the people of Buxton were foolish enough
to refuse, some other village might be more sensible.

Mr. Davis' amendment having been duly carried, the
matter was ordered to be sent back to the Committee of
Correspondence with a view to an Exhibition being held
in some other locality.

The Secretary read a Report from the Chamber of
Commerce, on the matter of Food Analysis, which had
been referred to the Commercial Committee. They
were of opinion that the fee should be reduced to $2.00,
and recommended increased vigilance on the part of the
officers on whom the inspection of foods devolves.

3A2

372 TlMEHRI.

In the absence of Mr. D. C. Cameron, the motion of
which he had given notice, was brought forward by Mr.
N. D. Davis, " that the Meetings of the Society be held
in future in the Reading Rooms." Mr. Davis thought
the old place of meeting better suited for the purpose
than the Exchange Room, and he thought the hour of
meeting might be changed with advantage. Mr. Vyle
seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

It was then moved by Mr. Turner and seconded by
Mr. Vyle, that the Meetings of the Society be held in
future at 4 p.m., instead of 3, which was duly carried,
the President remarking that the present time of meeting
had been chosen for the accommodation of gentlemen
from the East Coast, but as hardly any of them came to
the meetings, it would be more convenient to change
the time.

Mr. N. D. Davis brought forward his motion, of which
due notice had been given, that the Society move that a
Hydrographical Survey be obtained for telegraph pur-
poses, of the bed of the sea between British Guiana
and Trinidad.

Mr. Davis spoke of the unsatisfactory state of our
cable communication, which he believed to be due to
the formation of the sea bottom, and if such a survey
could be obtained it might be very useful in showing the
best place to lay the cable and perhaps lead to a better
state of things.

The motion having been seconded by Mr. Daly, it
was carried unanimously.

The Secretary read a letter from Major Walthall con-
veying a communication from M. F. Gonzalez, Pensacola,
in answer to the Society's request for information as to

Report of Society's Meetings. 373

the best kiln for drying Indian Corn. It was considered
more desirable in the United States to diy the meal
rather than the grain, for which purpose Cutter's Steam
Dryer was recommended.

The thanks of the Society were given to Major Wal-
thall for his kindness in trying to procure the information,
and that gentleman said he had taken steps to procure
further advice on the same subjecl.

Mr. Turner mentioned that the descriptions of Corn
Kilns could be procured from the United Kingdom, and
described a very simple method of drying corn on a wire
cloth over a clear fire. He considered that we ought to
grow all our corn, rice, and tobacco, but as the ca9e is
at present he was obliged to pay 50 cents per barrel more
for Creole corn than, for that which comes from the
United States.

The thanks of the Society were presented for the
following donations : —

Government of British Guiana ...Report on Fibre Industry.
Do. ...Blue Book, 1889.

Canadian Institute Proceedings.

W. Tebb Jenner and Vaccination.

Dr. Macnamara Transaaions of Sanitary Insti-
tute, 2 vols.
Mr. Turner, having been asked for information con-
cerning the new Alcoholometer which had lately been
adopted by the Commissary Department, gave a short
account of the mechanism of the instrument. By it
thousands of gallons of rum could be measured with the
greatest exactitude, and not only so but at the same time
the strength was indicated so as to be beyond dispute.
The reason why it had not been adopted in the United
Kingdom was because the system in use there was so

374 TlMEHRI.

perfect already, that unless some gain would result, the
authorities did not care to make great alterations. In
this colony, on the contrary, there had hitherto been no
system, and there was less trouble in introducing the
instrument in question than the elaborate excise system
of the United Kingdom.

A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Turner for his
explanation.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on the ipth September. — Mr. R. P.
Drysdale in the chair.

There were 12 members present.
Elections. — Member: Mr. S. A. H. Campbell.
Associate: Mr. Matthew French.
• The Secretary intimated that the following donations
had been received towards the extension of the
Museum: — The Colonial Company, $120; Messrs.
Sandbach, Tinne, & Company, $100.

On the motion of Mr. Vyle, seconded by the Hon. C.
P. Austin, a cordial vote of thanks was given to the
donors.

The Rev. W. B. Ritchie asked whether the present
meeting was the proper place to make a motion, that all
" new books'' be laid on the table for seven days before
being lent to the members.

The Chairman replied that the proper course would be
to bring the matter before the Book Committee, from
which it could be referred to the Directors.

The Secretary informed the meeting that he had
written to the Committee of Correspondence on the

Report of Society's Meetings. 375

matter of the Country Exhibition, but had not yet re-
ceived any reply.

The Secretary read a letter from the Government
Secretary, in reference to the motion passed at the last
meeting, as to the suggested Hydrographical Survey of
the sea bottom between this colony and Trinidad, stating
that, " The question of telegraphic communication be-
tween this colony and abroad has for some time been
engaging the attention of this Government."

The Assistant Secretary read the following short
analysis of the report of George Preston, Esq., the
Commissioner from the Bahamas to enquire into the
working of the fibre industry in Yucatan. The report
being too long, it had been suggested that a resume
would be interesting.

Abstract of Report on Sisal Hemp,

The development of the Sisal Hemp industry in Yucatan has been very
rapid. It was started about 1873, and as early as 1880 the shipments
amounted to 97,351 bales of the value of eighteen hundred thousand
dollars, while last year the amount was 213,882 bales, of the value of
$6,641,257 69. There are in Yucatan about 200 farms of different
sizes, the largest employing 30 fibre machines and 500 hands. The
profits of some of the farmers amount to $530 to $2,000 per day, the
fibre giving a net profit of 9 cents per lb., and as a natural consequence
there has been a considerable increase in the prosperity of the country.

The poorest land can be utilised for this plant, a sandy soil that is
otherwise worthless being most suitable. The only preparation needed
is clearing the land, which is not very difficult, as the poorest land is
necessarily easiest to prepare, the Report giving the cost at 35s. to 40s.
per acre. The usual mode of propagation is by suckers, which grows
from the old plants, and produce leaves fit for cutting in about 3 years.
It is recommended that the young suckers be planted in rows at 6 feet
distance from each other, with a distance of 11 feet between the rows to
allow the cutters to work conveniently. The time for cutting will vary
according to circumstances, the leaves ripen at different times and it

376 TlMEHRl.

would be best to cut once in about three months, although an annual
crop is possible, but not quite so good, as a better selection can be
made at short intervals.

The fibre machine in use seems to be a very good one. It is made
by Death and Ellwood of Leicester, and has been in use long enough to
have a fair trial, in some cases as long as twenty years. It consists of
a wheel of 50 inches in diameter and 8 inches broad on the face where
are 8 knives or scrapers. Any number of machines may be provided
and driven by a steam engine. Two wheels may be fed by a boy, and
the fibre removed to the drying grounds by three men. Each wheel
cleans 20 leaves per minute or 8,ooo per day, the produce in fibre being
about 5 per cent, of the leaves used. No water is used, so that after
drying for two hours the produdt is fit for baling. The cost of the fibre
is estimated at about 2^ cents per lb. in Yucatan, but the reporter thinks
that expenses would amount to about 3 cents in the Bahamas. In the
local market at Merida it fetches about iof cents and in the foreign
markets 11 or 12 cents, showing a profit of 200 to 300 per cent. It must
be understood that these estimates refer to a large plantation with 20 to
30 wheels continually at work, and it is natural to suppose that smaller
farms would have larger expenses in proportion. The principal farm
cleaned daily 48,000 leaves or 72,000 lbs., from which 3,600 lbs. of fibre
was produced.

The Commissioner recommends for the Bahamas, a Central Faftory,
to which the peasants might bring their leaves, as it would be impossi-
ble for any but a very large grower to keep the machinery continually
working. To keep 6 wheels going daily, it would require 600 acres of
plants. The average annual produce of one acre being 19 tons of leaves
or 18 cwts. of fibre ; the value of this piece of land would be something
like $200, from which, after dedufting labour, wear and tear of
machinery, and other expenses, it would certainly appear that fortunes
could be easily made in this cultivation. The cost of weeding and cut-
ting would be very little, carriage to the central factory might give some
trouble, but taking everything into consideration there must be a profit.
The Commissioner also went to Cuba where he found an English
Fibre Company commencing the cultivation of Agave Americana and
Sanseveira. but no results are forthcoming as yet.

The matter is a very important one. If it could be taken up in this
colony, we have thousands of acres of sand reefs that could be utilised
— land that is otherwise useless, while the plants are easily obtainable.

Report of Society's Meetings. 377

The Chairman considered the fibre industry to be a
matter worth taking up by the people of this colony,
especially when it is considered that there is plenty of
land here which is not adapted for either sugar or rice.
He did not expect the profits would be as great as stated
by Mr. Preston, but it would be quite satisfactory and
very encouraging if they should be even half as much
as was stated in the report.

Mr. Jacob Conrad spoke in favour of the industry
and gave notice of motion, " That the Society approach
the Government, asking that provision be made for an
experiment in sisal hemp cultivation, with a view to in-
troducing the industry into the colony."

A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Rodway for
his summary of the Report.

The Chairman stated that Mr. E. F. im Thurn had
been proposed as an Honorary Member by the Board of
Directors at the last meeting of the Society; it now
remained to them to elect him. It was not necessary to
say anything about Mr. im Thurn, as they all knew him
so well, while, as they all knew, his services to the Society
had been of considerable utility.

The Hon. C. P. Austin spoke in favour of the proposal,
and Mr. Davis thought it a reproach to the Society that
this matter had not been thought of before.

Mr. im Thurn was then duly balloted for and unanim-
ously elected an Honorary Member of the Society.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on the ijth Oclober. — G. H. Havttayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 17 members present.
3»

378 TlMEHRI.

Elections. — Associates; Messrs. T. S. Hargreaves,
Thos. Barklie, L. Colvin, F. E. Warneford, and W.
A. E. Dalzell.

The President stated that since the last meeting Mr.
E. G. Barr of London had kindly presented a donation
of £100 towards the refitting of the Museum.

On the motion of Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Daly,
a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Barr.

The President said that as Mr. Jacob Conrad was not
present to bring forward his motion as to Sisal Hemp
cultivation, he was afraid this interesting and valuable
matter must fall to the ground.

A specimen of the leaves of Agave (which, if not the
identical plant, was commercially as useful), together
with the fibre, was exhibited to the meeting.

The President referred to the loss to the Society, as
well as to the colony, by the death of Mr. E. E. H
Francis, the late Government Chemist. Mr. Francis
had helped the Society in many ways ; none of them
could forget his leclures before the Society, or his
valuable contributions to Timehri. He thought they
would agree with him that the colony had suffered an
irreparable loss. It would be very difficult to find a man
of like skill to come here and fill his place. Above all,
he was most conscientious in his work, and his honesty
and skill were shown by the fa6t that his polarisation
certificates for immense shipments of sugar had never
been disputed. They would be very remiss in their duty
if they did not record on the minutes some expression of
regret at the loss the Society had experienced.

Mr. Conyers called attention to a matter which con-
cerned him very much as Treasurer of the Society. The

Report of Society's Meetings. 379

Government had granted the Society a sum of $1,000
for the purpose of holding a Country Exhibition, and
owing to the carelessness and opposition of the people
for whose benefit the project had been attempted, the
matter had been abandoned. They had spent about
$180 in advertising, printing, &c, and he wanted to
know what should be done with the balance. He did
not see any chance of getting up an exhibition in the
rural districts, and, therefore, the specific obje6l of the
grant having fallen through, he thought the Government
should be asked to allow the money to be used for some
other obje6t, or else they must return it. He had no
motion to make, but simply wished to clear himself of
the responsibility. The time had however arrived for
another Biennial Exhibition or a Horticultural Show,
and the sum in hand, supplemented by something more,
might, with the consent of the Government, be used for
either of these purposes.

In reply to Mr. Davis, the Secretary stated that he
had written to the Committee of Correspondence on the
subject of an exhibition in another district, but had not
as yet received any reply. He would write again, as he
should not like to see the matter shelved, but nothing
could be done until the Committee decided. In the
meantime he thought the money was in good hands, and
the Society ought to hold it until it is settled whether a
trial shall be made on the West Bank or West Coast.

Mr. Conyers said that what Mr. Daly stated was very
well, but he nevertheless thought an explanation was due
to the Government, in which the President concurred.

Mr. Mackay spoke in favour of having another
Biennial Exhibition, and also suggested the desirability

3B2

380 TlMEHRI.

of the colony being represented at the Great American
Exhibition of 1892.

Mr. Davis spoke of the want of Local Secretaries,
and Mr. Conyers said that Mr. Jones and Mr. Bascom
had taken a great deal of trouble in trying to bring
about the Exhibition at Buxton.

Mr. Turner said that corporate bodies generally were
not so conscientious, but the question was a very simple
one. The opinion of Mr. Conyers was the right one,
some representation should certainly be made to the
Government.

After some slight discussion, the Secretary undertook
to procure a decision before the next meeting, by calling
together the Committee of Correspondence. Mr. Daly
stated that the principal reason for delay in this matter
had been the illness of the Chairman of that Committee.

Mr. .-Eneas Mackay gave notice of motion as follows :

That a Horticultural Exhibition, to include exhibits of preserved

ruits, as well as those in the natural state, be held early next year,

under the auspices of this Society, and that the Government be

requested to support the movement by a grant of money.

In the absence of the author (who was unable to
attend) the Secretary read the following paper by Mr.
W. P. Abell, a late Whitworth Scholar, on " Economising
Sugar Carriers:" —

ECONOMISING SUGAR CARRIERS.

Little drops of water are as necessary to the mighty ocean as success-
ful waste saving inventions are to the commercial prosperity of a
people. As sugar manufacturers we know well that our own is held, not
by the adoption of one radical improvement, but by many economies in
waste such as sugar, labour, fuel, &c.

To-day I beg to bring to your notice a simple but effective apparatus
for carrying sugar from the centrifugals to the sugar bunks without
waste or damage, and with a minimum of attention.

Both before and after my arrival in this colony, my attention was

Report of Society's Meetings. 381

often drawn to the wasteful, and unsatisfactory working of band and
screw conveyors, and this led me some years ago to take the matter up
with the idea of getting over the difficulties that presented themselves.

1st. In the case of band, these arose from its total unfitness, in spite
of complicated brushes and cleaners, to carry and deliver the moist,
and often hot, and sticky Demerara sugar.

2nd. There was no arrangement to clean out and liberate either
the solid or helical screw, which often became clogged and choked,
triturating the sugar, and necessitating its being dissolved and cleaned
with hot water, and sometimes the removal of the whole apparatus from
under the centrifugals, at a delay and expense that often prevented its
being again replaced.

3rd. Molasses sugar, through its stickiness, cannot usually be carried
even by helical screws, hence the whole apparatus had to be hauled
from under the centrifugals.

4th. Molasses or water could fall through the centrifugal basket
when standing on to the screw or band, thus making the sugar lumpy
or sticky.

A brief explanation of the photographs will show you how these difficul-
ties are overcome. The sugar discharged through the centrifugal basket
bottom falls on to the hollow screw which conveys it to the elevator or
bunk. The trough shown can partly revolve on pokers, the withdrawal
of which allows one side of the trough to fall to the ground.

This exposes the screw and liberates the sugar instantly, see photo.
No. 130. By raising the box and inserting the pokers again the appar-
atus is ready for work as shown on photo. 129. All this can be accom-
plished without either stopping the machines or conveyor. The light
tray to prevent the molasses or water falling on to the cured sugar is
pushed in by the operator's foot when the machine is not discharged,
and drawn out when emptying the centrifugal. The arrangement of
trough shown by the photographs is for two, three or four machines ;
for more, another style, with the sides and bottom partly or wholly
removable, is used.

In long ranges of centrifugals where it is necessary to cure two quan-
tities of sugar at the same time, I have arranged either right or left
hand or double screws in one trough divided by a partition, which on
being pushed over delivers the sugar from each machine into one or other
of the conveyors as desired. The requirements here render it unneces-
sary for me to explain this. But those interested will find a detailed

382 TlMEHKI.

description in any of the patent specifications of this invention. The
advantages of this carrier are briefly : —

1st. If the sugar by any means clogs the screws it can be cleaned in
an instant, and that without stopping either the machine or screw.

2nd Facilitating the cleaning of the screw when the curing is finished
and the machines stopped.

3rd. It does not damage or triturate the sugar.

4th. — Molasses sugar cannot usually be carried by conveyors, hence
the arrangement for instantly lowering the trough to form a back for
the men to shovel against when putting the molasses sugar into casks,
as shown by the photograph No. 130, so doing away with the necessity
of hauling out the conveyor and trough, thus saving no inconsiderable
expense and trouble.

5th. The prevention of molasses or water falling on to the cured
sugar through the centrifugal baskets.

6th. The entire prevention of waste, both of sugar and labour, by
needing no attention whatever, except in occasionally lowering or
opening the trough for cleaning when required.

7th. It is thoroughly substantial and reliable, and I learnt, has never
given any of the trouble so invariably experienced with other conveyors.

In conveying some 3,000 tons of sugar on the two first estates which
adopted this conveyor, no difficulty whatever has been experienced. I
also learn from the sole English makers for the British Colonies,
Messrs. G. Fletcher & Co., London, that the few already made by them
have given every satisfaction.

There is no doubt that the method of delivering into the bunk with
the apparatus shown, effects a not inconsiderable saving in wages,
besides the cleanliness resulting from preventing the sugar bein^
trampled and destroyed under-foot. It was simply the conveyor diffi-
culties already explained that prevented the adoption of mechanical
sugar carriers long ago.

A vote of thanks was accorded to the author, but the
discussion was postponed until next meeting, when Mr.
Abell was expected to be in attendance.

The Secretary read the following communication from
Mr. J. P. Stelle, of Mobile, U.S., in answer to a request
of Major Walthall, on behalf of the Society, for infor-

Report of Society's Meetings. 383

mation as to fi Kiln-drying of Indian Corn" and " Rice

Culture":—

In reply to yours of 19th ult. I would state that there is no such thing
in the United States as kiln-drying of Indian corn (maize) previous
to grinding, or at any other time. If such a thing is necessary in
British Guiana, it must be due to some peculiarity of climate. Here
our corn ripens and dries on the stalk, and so soon as dry enough to
be easily shelled from the cob is ready for the mill, into which it may
be passed directly without any previous preparation. Meal made for
long shipment, as from our Northern to our Southern States, and
expected to be on hand for a considerable length of time, is usually
kiln-dried after grinding, which causes it to keep longer. This meal is
not regarded with so much favour as is theundried meal, hence our meal
is most commonly ground in mills of the regions where it is to be con-
sumed. In the non-corn-producing districts the corn is shipped from
the corn countries to the mills.

Meal is kiln-dried by a very simple steam-process, which I could
describe to you but suppose it would be of no interest to the Royal
Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana.

The only kiln-drying of corn ever done in this country is performed
on green corn (" roasting ear") preparing it for keeping as an article of
commerce when green corn is out of season with us. It is for use in
the kitchen as green corn, and the drying is done by the usual methods
of evaporating, with evaporators, on the same plans as those employed
for evaporating fruits, etc. Sugar corn is the only variety evaporated,
and the State of Maine sends out about all the evaporated corn
consumed by the people of the United States.

The cultivation of lowland rice, as practiced in the United States, is
extremely simple. The first essential is low and level land with a water
supply sufficiently above it to admit of flooding at will. A low dike or
levee is raised around the plat to hold in the flooding water when let on,
and if the land is naturally too wet to admit of ploughing and pulver-
ization, it is drained by open ditches running through it and discharg-
ing outside the dike. The ground to be seeded is thoroughly broken
and deeply pulverized with the harrow. Here we do this in early
spring, to get our crop through before the fall frosts, as it takes rice
from five to six months from the seeding to attain to maturity. The
seed is thinly sown in drills from eighteen to twenty inches apart. One
bushel of seed (" rough rice") is considered enough to sow one acre.

384 TlMEHRI.

It must not be crowded, as rice is a wonderful plant to stool, a single
seed producing from ten to thirty and often more stalks. If sown with
a good seed drill the necessary covering is secured at the same time,
otherwise we cover the seed by some other means, to the depth of from
one to two inches.

No further attention is called for until the young plants are up eight
or ten inches high — then it becomes necessary to destroy the grass and
weeds that are also springing up and choking the crop. This is done
by flooding the fields. All drainage outlets are closed, and water is let
on until it stands nearly at a level with the tops of rice. If, on account of
irregularities in surface, portions of the field must be so deeply flooded as
to bring the rice entirely under water, no harm comes of it. The water
is left on about one week, possibly a little longer; or, in other words,
till it has drowned out and destroyed the noxious growths, they not
being able to endure such protracted inundation. The rice is not at all
injured by the water. When it is seen that the grass and weeds have
succumbed, the drainage outlets are opened allowing the water to run
from the fields.

The rice now soon takes full possession of the ground, and thereafter
becomes its own protector, in most cases, but if this happens otherwise,
and the pest growths again appear (which seldom occurs), a second
flooding becomes necessary to destroy them.

About the time the rice is beginning to head, the water is let on as an
irrigation, but allowed to remain only some twenty-four hours. In
seasons of extreme drought it is sometimes necessary to irrigate before
this period in the growth of the crop, the need being made known by a
yellowish and unthrifty appearance of the plants.

Harvesting the rice crop does not differ materially from that of most
other small grains. Our planters usually cut it with a horse-reaper of
the same character as employed in cutting wheat and oats. The
threshing is performed with an ordinary wheat-threshing machine.

Rice straw differs from the straw of most other small grains in not
being hollow. It carries comparatively little silica, is soft and spongy,
and hence makes an excellent stock food. Cattle relish it highly, and
its percentage of nutriment ranks well up —almost as much so as first-
class English hay.

I believe that this about covers the grounds marked out in your
letter of inquiry, and I hope that I have made it full enough
and reasonably plain.

Report of Society's Meetings. 385

P.S. — There are no books on rice-culture, as practised in this country
that I know of, and certainly none on kiln-drying of corn

Major Walthall gave some interesting particulars as
to the corn (maize) industry in the Southern States, in
which he said he never heard of kilns.

Mr. Turner stated that the fa6t was well known that
American corn kept well, while our native product, did
not. Perhaps the climate made the difference.

Mr. Daly said there was a vast difference between
our climate and that of the United States, and it might
easily be understood that corn could be packed and kept
in a dry atmosphere, much better than in one like ours.

The thanks of the Society "were given to Major Wal-
thall for the trouble he had taken in forwarding the
information, and he was requested to thank Mr. Stelle
in the name of the Society for his interesting com-
munication.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on the 14th November. — G. H. Hawtayne,
C.M.G., C.M.Z.S.. F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 15 members present.
Elections. — Member: Dr. R.Carter.
Associate: Mr. T. Wyatt.
The President said that before proceeding to the
business of the meeting, it was only right to call their
attention to the fa 61 that since they last met, the Society
had lost its honoured Vice-President. Mr. D. C. Cameron
had not cnly been a useful member of the Society, but
also a veiy valuable member of the community. He felt
that they could not pass over the painful fa6i of his loss
in silence, but rather put on their records their great

3C

^S6 TlMEHRI.

J

appreciation of his value, and sincere regret at his loss.
He would also recommend that the Society forward to
his widow, in a most respectful manner, an expression
of their heart-felt sympathy with her in her great
bereavement.

Mr. Julius Conrad spoke in favour of the President's
recommendation, sa\ ing that he felt they had lost a friend
indeed who had always taken a lively interest in the
colonv, and who could hardly be replaced by any other.
He supported the Chairman in thinking that it would be
a token of their appreciation of his services to forward
an expression of sympathy to Mrs. Cameron.

The meeting having agreed to the recommendation,
the Secretary was directed to forward to Mrs. Cameron
an expression of the Society's great sympathy with her
in her serious loss.

The Secretary read a letter from the Committee of
Correspondence, informing the Society that they had
reconsidered their decision as to the final abandonment
of Country Exhibitions, and now think it desirable to
try another part of the colony than Buxton, and
also that the Exhibitions should be carried out on less
ambitious lines.

In reply to a question of Mr. Davis, the Treasurer
said that about $820 remained on hand from the grant
for Country Exhibitions.

Mr. Davis moved, and Mr. Legge seconded, " that the
Report of the Committee of Correspondence be referred
back to that Committee, so that it may be carried into
effect ;" which resolution, being duly carried, the
Secretary was directed to communicate accordingly.

On the matter of the discussion of Mr. Abell's paper

Report of Society's Meetings. 387

on " Economising Sugar Carriers," the Secretary
informed the meeting that Mr. Abell was prevented from
attending, and invited discussion. No response being
made, the matter dropped.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. P. Prass,
(which had been forwarded with a chart), advocating a
water-way connecting the Demerara and Essequebo
Rivers through Tenabo.

The thanks of the Society were accorded to Mr. Prass.

Mr. Mackay brought forward his motion, of which
due notice had been given, that a Horticultural Exhibi-
tion be held during next year under the auspices of the
Society. Mr. Mackay said that he need not dilate on
the usefulness of such Exhibitions in other countries,
as it was well-known what improvements had come
through these means. They were trying to introduce
the Fruit Industry into the colony, and one result of that
would probably be fruit-canning. Why should not the
fruits of this country be preserved in tins instead of the
old clumsv confectionery bottles ? He had packed a
tin of guava jelly which turned out very well, and he
knew no reason why the article could not be always
packed in the same way. Since the Horticultural Exhi-
bition at the Botanic Gardens in 1884, ne 'ia^ noticed a
great improvement in the gardens of the Bourda District.
and he thought that this was partly due to that Exhibi-
tion. He proposed that this Exhibition should be on a
large scale, with, if possible, electric light in the evening.

Mr. Little seconded the motion for the sake of dis-
cussion, but at the same time, he said, his experience
went against these Exhibitions, as very little interest
had been taken in them.

^C 2

388 TlMEHRI.

Mr. Conyers supported the motion, saying, that the
tendency of the Exhibition was to encourage the cultiva-
tion of a taste for flowers, and if they had been held
regularly as originally proposed, he had no doubt they
would have been a success.

Mr. Julius Conrad said that such an Exhibition was
more within the province of the Botanic Gardens, and
Mr. Davis thought that the improvement noticed by Mr.
Mackay was due to the same Gardens.

Mr. Ritchie supported the motion, and Mr. Daly said
he always supported such Exhibitions, but in this case
he dissented because he wanted to have a proper Show
in 1891, so that some of the Exhibits might be sent to
the Great American Exhibition of 1892.

The motion was then put to the vote and lost.

The thanks of the Society were presented to Mr.
Binney for the donation of a work entitled " Australian
Irrigation Colonies."

The President informed the meeting that he had
received the following donations for the Museum : —
Messrs. Hogg, Curtis & Campbell ...£50 o
The Proprietors of Taymouth Manor ... 10 10
for which cordial votes of thanks were given.

Mr. Davis asked the President whether it was the
intention of the Board ol Directors to invite the opinion
of the meeting as to a rule lately passed by the Board
" that New Books should lie on the table for 7 days;"
to which Mr. Hawtayne replied that, in accordance with
Chap. XV., Bye-law 2, the Directors have power to make
rules lur the management of the Society.

The President called attention to the fa6l that the
next meeting would be the one for the ele6tion of Office-

Report of Society's Meetings. 389

bearers for the coming year, at which he hoped there
would be a good attendance.

Mr. Davis gave notice of motion for next meeting

as follows : —

That in accordance with Chap. III., Bye-law 9, Local Secretaries
be appointed in different districts throughout the colony.

The meeting then terminated.

Meeting held on the 12th December. — G. H. Hawtayne,
C.M.G.. C.M.Z.S., F.R.G.S., President, in the chair.
There were 18 members present.
Election. — Member : Mr. L. P. Gallwey.
The Secretary read a letter from the Committee of
Correspondence informing the Society that it had been
decided to postpone the consideration of the question
of the next Country Exhibition until after the election
of Office-bearers for 1890, in order that the new Com-
mittee that would be charged with carrying out the plans
should also initiate the work. This letter was taken for
notification.

The President then addressed the meeting, giving a
resume of the work of the past year : —

Gentlemen, — I desire with your permission to follow
the example of my predecessor, and to lay before you
a short resume of the transactions of the Society during
1889. In doing so, I confess that the expectations anc
hopes which were entertained at the commencement of
my year of office have not been realised, and I am sen-
sible that what has been done is largely overbalanced by
what has been left undone. At the same time, those
entrusted with the conduct of the Society have done
their best to maintain its prosperity and its usefulness;

390 TlMEHRI.

and I beg to record my thanks to our Secretaries, Mr.
L. M. Hill, and his successor Mr. Daly, to the Treasurer
Mr. Conyers, and to Messrs. Quelch and Rodway for their
cordial and valuable assistance to the President on all
occasions.

On the ist January last, the members, associates,
and lady subscribers numbered 399 ; of these 52 have
ceased to belong to the Society, but we have added
122 names, so that the net increase in the Society's roll
is 70. Death has deprived us of six members and asso-
ciates. Messrs. G. A. Forshaw, E. E. H. Francis, D. C.
Cameron, Dalgleish, Garratt, and Stack. I shall not be
making an invidious distinction by saying that the three
first named were men valuable not only to the Society
but to the community at large, and whom it will be diffi-
cult to replace. Absence from the colony accounts for
the loss of other members and associates, many of whom
we hope to regain on their return.

We have also to regret that Mr. Walker, resident
director in London, has resigned that office on account
of his age and failing health. Mr. Walker has been con-
nected so long with this Society, and has done us such
constant good service, that I am sure he will receive from
members an expression of hearty thanks for his assis-
tance, and of deep regret that the connection is severed.

The funds of the Society will be reported on in due
time by our Treasurer — who will, I hope, be able to state
that they are in a sound condition.

The average attendance at the ordinary meetings
has been 14 and a fraction. Although this may con-
trast favourably with former years, when a vigorous
" whip" was sometimes required to ensure a bare

Report of Society's Meetings. 391

quorum of seven, it is not satisfactory to find that only
45 members have attended the eleven meetings. Of
these, fifteen have attended only one meeting, and two
or three others have been present as officers of the
Society, so that it may be said that only about 27 out of
200 members take sufficient interest in the Society to
induce them to attend its meetings occasionally. If the
figures are further analysed it will be found that of the
45 members putting in an appearance at the meetings,
only 21 are engaged in or connected with agriculture
and commerce, the balance being made up of profes-
sional men and public officers. The absence from the
meetings of gentlemen representing the agriculture and
commerce of the colony, to further which interests the
Society was founded and to whose support the Society
has a just claim, has caused me much disappointment.
I can only hope that my successor will be more fortunate
in obtaining a larger amount of their support and co-
operation.

The subjects which have been considered at the
meetings of the Society, although not many, have
been of interest and utility. They include what may be
termed the Banana Industry Question, Fruit culture and
packing, Cable communications, Corn drying, Starch
manufacture, Sisal Hemp and Economising Sugar Car-
riers. One of the most important matters has been the
constitution of a Chamber of Commerce which, although
not directly created by this Society, owes its origin to
the Commercial Committee called into existence on the
suggestion of Mr. Davis. The Chamber of Commerce
supplies a want which has long been a reproach to the
business people of the colony. Its deliberations are

392 TlMEHRI.

being directed to questions of much importance, some
of which necessarily trench on the province of politics
which is forbidden ground to this Society, while the
Commercial Committee still has before it a wide field of
subjects connected with the commerce of the colony, with
which it can legitimately and profitably deal.

The Museum of the Society has prospered under
the care of Mr. Quelch, who has recently returned
to his duties, bringing with him renewed energy.
We may expect large additions to our natural history
collection, which will make the Museum more attractive
than ever. The Museum, however, ought to contain
more than specimens of natural history and the
like. The Museum of an Agricultural and Com-
mercial Society should, I think, have within its walls
a complete collection of specimens of what we can
grow and make, and what we buy and sell. It should
be the colony's sample room where a visitor on business
or pleasure can learn what we can supply and what we
require. For all these, however, space is wanted, and
with this view an attempt was made to obtain a legislative
grant to enable us to extend our premises. That
attempt failed owing to those who hold the purse-strings
not thinking it practicable or prudent to grant the
means ; but our advances were not so wholly discouraged
as to forbid the application being renewed, and I hope
that with a better financial condition of the colony and
brighter prospects than existed at the beginning of the
year, our petition may yet be granted, and the means
afforded of extending the Museum from which so many
of the humbler classes derive instruction and entertain-
ment, and which can in the way just indicated be of

Report of Society's Meetings. 393

material service to the agricultural and commercial
interests of the colony. It is also desirable to increase
our collection of native or local specimens for the
purpose of exchange with similar institutions. Mr.
Quelch has by these means already enriched our Museum,
and I hope that we may in time add to it a considerable
number of interesting objects. That the museums at
home are willing to assist this institution has been shewn
by the readiness with which the British Museum
authorities assented to my request and sent to the Society
the impressions of incised writings now in our library.
We ought also, I think, to have specimens of the raw
materials from which the manufactured articles familiar
to us are made. We have a case shewing the various
produces derived from coal tar and a more recent coile6tion
of the minerals which form the basis of paints ; and I
think similar exhibits to these would form an attractive
and instructive series.

In another direction we can claim some degree of
success. Our Curator laid before us the absolute
necessity of providing cases for the better accommo-
dation and better exhibition of the Museum speci-
mens. I took upon myself to apply to several of
those who are connected with the colony, and who,
though absentees, might be accredited with a desire to
extend the usefulness of our Museum, and the result
has been the following subscriptions : E. G. Barr, Esq.,
$480 ; Messrs. Hogg, Curtis, Campbell & Co., $240 ;
Mrs. Williams, $240 ; Hugh Sproston, Esq., $48 ; J.
McConnell, Esq,, $240; Proprietors of Taymouth Manor,
$50 40; Stewart Gardner, Esq., $100; Sandbach, Tinne,
& Co., $100; Colonial Company, Ltd., $120; G. Garnett,

3D

394 TlMEHRI.

Esq. (cost of case), $40 ; or a total of $1,658 40. This
sum will enable Mr. Quelch to display some of his
treasures more effectively — but, like Oliver Twist, he
wants " more," and we must hope that the example of
those liberal donors just mentioned may be followed by
more of the many, who, though absent from British
Guiana, still retain an interest in, or derive profit from
the colony.

The Directors have been able during the past year
to complete the extension of the Reading Room,
giving more accommodation to members, and also
affording greater convenience to the public when visiting
the Post Office. These additions have also added to the
completeness of our facade in North Street.

The Society, in its desire to foster the cultivation of

products other than our staple, and to ben efit the labouring

classes, endeavoured to get up an exhibition on the

East Coast, to which it was hoped the people would

contribute. Gentlemen whose time could with difficulty

be spared for this purpose, interested themselves in the

project, and no endeavour was spared by them to induce

labourers and artisans to take interest in the exhibition.

But without avail. The apathy or ignorance of the

people, and the worse than ignorance of others who

considered it their mission to sow distrust and dissension,

rendered the disinterested efforts of the Society and the

Exhibition Committee abortive. It has been determined,

however, to make another attempt in another part of the

colony where we hope that better results will follow,

and that we may reap in Essequebo, or elsewhere, a

success which has been denied us in Demerara.

Our library, over which Mr. Rodway so efficiently

Report of Society's Meetings. 395

presides, has been increased by 700 volumes. The Book
Committee have had a somewhat difficult task in exercising
economy while endeavouring to add to the utility and
attractions of the library. They have had to avoid load-
ing our shelves with books which would be read by few
or less than those who propose their purchase — to keep
up a supply of books of science, travel, history, biography,
&c, and to keep within due limits the demand for
works of fi6lion and ephemeral interest; in other words,
to make our book room neither a collection of high and
dry literature nor a mere second-rate circulating library.
Arrangements have been successfully made for the more
prompt executions of book orders. There has been a
marked increase in the issue of newspapers since they
have been rendered acceptable to members, while of
magazines there is a larger supply and a corresponding
greater demand for them, and the classification of
the library enables a reader to get what he wants,
so that novels and treatises no longer find their way to the
wrong persons.

The Popular Science Lectures have been main-
tained, and continue to attract fair audiences. Our
thanks are due to those who have so kindly delivered
lectures or aided in their illustration, and I am glad to
be able to promise a succession of lectures during next
year, which it is hoped will be appreciated by larger
audiences. In laying down the office to which you
elected me last year, I beg to offer you my thanks for
the honour you then paid me, for the indulgence you
have shewn me, and also to express my sincere hope
that the new year, the forty-seventh of our Society's
existence, may bring with it success and prosperity.

3D2

396 TlMEHRI.

The Rev. T. J. Moulder proposed a hearty vote of
thanks to the President for the very able manner in
which he had conducted the meetings during the past
year, and especially referred to the Science Lectures and
Museum extension as examples of Mr. Hawtayne's work.
Mr. C. P. Austin seconded the motion, which was heartily
carried. Mr. Hawtayne thanked the meeting for their
expression of approval of his services, and hoped that
the new President would do even more than he had done.
The President informed the meeting that Mr. W.
Walker, the Society's Resident Director in London,
had, on account of increasing age and declining health,
placed his resignation in the hands of the Directors,
which they had been reluctantly compelled to accept.
He was sure they would all teel regret at hearing of Mr.
Walker's decision ; he would therefore move the follow-
ing resolution : —

" That the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society
of British Guiana, in accepting the resignation of Mr.
Wm. Walker, its Resident Director in London, desires
to record its deep sense of his valuable services during
a period of over twenty years, and its regret at the
severance of a connection which has been so beneficial
to the Society."

Mr. R. P. Drysdale said he had much pleasure in
seconding the motion. Mr. Walker had served them
long, well and faithfully, and therefore they could not
part with him without expressing their regret and sorrow
at the loss of his services. They all knew the reason,
old age and infirmity creeping on disabled him from
taking pari in affairs which he would still be willing to
continue if able. They were losing a valuable member,

Report of Society's Meetings. 397

and they could only express their regret at the reasons
which necessitated his retirement.

Messrs. Davis, Daly, and Austin also spoke in favour
of the resolution. They had all known Mr. Walker, and
spoke feelingly of his friendship with them individually,
as well as his keen interest in the progress of the colony.

The resolution was carried unanimously, and the
Secretary directed to forward a copy to Mr. Walker.

Mr. N. D. Davis gave notice of motion as follows : —

That a Committee of Members of this Society be appointed, in
order to take steps to ascertain whether it be practicable to induce
agricultural labourers of the African race to immigrate from the United
States to British Guiana.

Mr. Davis said his reason for this motion was that a
rabid spirit against the negro was growing up in the
United States, and if the Americans did not want these
people British Guiana might take them, if they were
willing to come.

The Rev. A. H. Leslie gave notice of motion as follows :

That in view of the uncertain terms of residence in the colony of
Wesleyan Ministers, such Wesleyan Ministers as are at present, or may
hereafter be elected Members of this Society, shall be allowed to make
quarterly subscription payments, instead of yearly, to the Treasurer
of this Society.

The election of Office-bearers for 1890 was then
proceeded with, Mr. R. P. Drysdale being elected
President on the motion of Mr. N. D. Davis, seconded
by Mr. Jacob Conrad, and Mr. B. H. Jones Vice-President
on that of Mr. Davis, seconded by the Hon. C. P. Austin.
The other Office-bearers were duly elected as per
accompanying list.

Mr. Davis brought forward his motion for the appoint-
ment of Local Secretaries, of which due notice had been
given, which being seconded by Mr. Drysdale, was duly

398 TlMEHRI.

carried, the consideration of nominations being postponed
for consent of the parties willing to accept the office.

The thanks of the Society were accorded for the
following donations : —
To Library.
Trustees of British Museum- 17 Catalogues and ti Guides.
Mrs. Horatia Sproston— Fitzgerald's History of the British Stage.
Dr. B. E. C. Belmonte — The Administrator General's Department.
To Museum.

The Government per F. W. Collier, Postmaster-General — A col-
lection of Postage Stamps, Cards, &c.
Mr. Brooke Allder — Specimens of the Mineral Bases of Paints.

The meeting then terminated.

Report of Society's Meetings. 399

Office-Bearers for 18 go.

Patroness :

THE QUEEN.

Vice-Patron :

The Right Honourable Viscount GORMANSTON, KC.M.G.,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief, &c, &c, &c.

President :
R. P. DRYSDALE

Vice-President :
Hon. B. H. JONES

Honorary Secretary :
THOS. DALY

Honorary Treasurer :

F. A. CONYERS

Ordinary Directors :
S. M. BELLAIRS
N. D. DAVIS
FERRIS GRANT
T. H. GLENNIE

G. H. HAWTAYNE, C.M.G., F.R.G.S., CM.Z.S.
JOS. MONKHOUSE

Managing Diredors :
H. KIRKE, M.A., B.C.L.
W. S. TURNER
F. A. R. WINTER

Exchange Room Diredors:
A. G. CLARKE
A. WEBER
C. WIETING

4®o

TlMEHRI.

Agricultural Committee :

Chairman, Hon. B. H. JONES

Vice-Chairman, A. BRAUD
Secretary, GEO. GARNETT

ROBT. ALLAN
GEO. BAGOT
Hon. A. BARR
Hon. C. L. BASCOM
S. M. BELLAIRS
R. B. BUTTS
B. R. CLARKE
S. R. COCHRAN
JOS. B. FINNEY, C.E.
J. M. FLEMING

Commercial Committee

J. GILLESPIE
A. R. GILZEAN
E. C. LUARD
J. MONKHOUSE
G. MONRO
T. MULLIGAN
P. H. NIND, M.A.
JAS. SMITH
WM. SMITH
W. A. WOLSELEY

Chairman, J. J. DARE
Vice-Chairman, J. S. HILL
Secretary, G. GARNETT

Hon. A. BARR
B. S. BAYLEY
JACOB CONRAD
WM. CUNNINGHAM
J. H. DejONGE
R. P. DRYSDALE
J. P. FARNUM
FERRIS GRANT

Committee of Correspondence :

Chairman, G. H. HAWTAYNE, C.M.G., F.R.G.S., C.M.Z.S.
Vice-Chairman, W. S. TURNER
Honorary Secretary, J. J. QUELCH, B. Sc.
Treasurer, F. A. CONYERS.

J. B. FINNEY, C.E.
G. GARNETT
FERRIS GRANT

E. McLEOD
JOS. TENGELY
JAS. THOMSON
W. H. SHERLOCK
A. SUMMERSON
JAS. STUART
E. T. WHITE

ROBT. ALLAN

His Hon. N. ATKINSON

Sir CHAS. BRUCE, K.C.M.G

GEO. BAGOT

S. M. BELLAIRS

A. BRAUD

G. S. JENMAN, F.L.S.

Hon. B. H.JONES

H. KIRKE, M.A..B.C.L.

Report of Society's Meetings.

401

Col. Hon. R. S. COTTON I GEO. LITTLE, Jnr.

E. H. G. DALTON F. A. MASON

P. P. FAIRBAIRN | A. SUMMERSON

Curator of Museum: J. J. QUELCH, B. Sc. (Lond.), C.M.Z S.

Book Committee :

Dr. ANDERSON

His Hon. N. ATKINSON

Hon. C. P. AUSTIN

Hon. J. W. CARRINGTON,

D.C.L..C.M.G.
E.H.G. DALTON,
N. D. DAVIS
]. B. FINNEY, C.E.
GEO. GARNETT
ERRIS GRANT
G. H. HAWTAYNE, C.M.G.,

F.R.G.S.C.M.Z.S.

Librarian: JAMES RODWAY, F.L.S
Resident Director in London :
E. G. BARR, Holland Park.

H. KIRKE, M.A., B.C.L,
C. H. G. LEGGE
Rev. T. J. MOULDER
J. A. POTBURY, M.A.
EXLEY PERCIVAL, B.A.
Rev. W. B. RITCHIE, M.A.
His Hon. W. M. SHERIFF
E. J. N. THOMAS
]. VEECOCK
S. VYLE

W. T. WALTHALL

F. A. R. WINTER

•; E

List of Popular Science Lectures.

"BOOKS; THEIR NATURAL HISTORY."

Delivered on Tuesday, July 16th, by Seaforth M. Bellairs, Manager,
Pin. Chateau Margot.

HE lecturer began by explaining that he did not
intend to treat his subject from the literature
point of view, but (so to speak) from the stand-
point of the natural history of Books. He then gave a
description of the term " Book," historically treated; and
from the earliest form, that of object or pifture-writing,
traced, in detail, the various forms of writing by different
races throughout their developments and conventionali-
sations, up to modern times. He then proceeded to
describe the various materials employed for these various
forms of writing at different periods and by different
nations.

8. — "steam as a medium of power.

Delivered on Tuesday, August 2Jth, by T. S. Cornish, A.M. Inst. C.E.

The lecturer began by defining the term " steam,'' and
limiting its treatment in the lecture to steam that has
been formed from boiling water. He then gave a
detailed historical description of steam engines, or
engines by means of which steam was made to do work,
tracing the gradual improvements and complexity of
their mechanism from the earliest recorded times up to
the present, and indicating the reasoning of the processes
bv which the heat of steam is either made use of as

Popular Science Lectures. 403

potential energy or is rejected as heat. Detailed refer-
ence was then made to the utility and advantages of
condensing and non-condensing engines in the sugar
industry, and the advantages of compound over single
cylinder engines.

9. — "SOME INDIAN GAMES."

Delivered on Wednesday, September 25th, by E. F. im Thurn, M.A.
(Oxon), Special Magistrate, Pomeroon.

This leclure, which is incorporated in the paper on
Primitive Games, page 2^0, was illustrated by Ma^ic
Lantern slides, prepared by Mr. H. H. Cunningham,
and exhibited by Mr. E. C. Luard.

10. —"some fragments from the natural history OF GUIANA."

Delivered on Tuesday, November 2.6th, by J. % Quelch, B. Sc, (Lond.J
C.M.Z.S., Curator of the Museum.

The lecturer began by limiting the scope of his
remarks to the consideration of the type of organisation
presented by the Marsupials, the Edentates, the tapir,
and the Platyrhine monkeys of the colony, and to the
distribution and origin of these local types. The forms
allied to these types in different parts of the world, were
referred to ; the great zoological regions were described ;
and the nature of the Fauna in the most recent of the
zoological periods, as denoted by fossil forms, was pointed
out and contrasted with these recent types. The earliest
types, related to those selected, were then pointed out,
and the lines of their modification and the path of
migration to the Southern Continent indicated.

The leclure was illustrated by specimens and diagrams
3E2

&3/t

[ADVERTISEMENT.]

i l

T I M E H R I,"

BEING THE

Journal of the Royal Agricultural & Commercial

Society of British Guiana,

EDITED BY

J. J. QUELCH, B. Sc, C.M.Z.S., of University College, London.

Published Half-Yearly [June & December.]

PRICE :

For the year $\ Q2 (8/)

For each part 96 (4/)

PRINTED AT THE " ARGOSY "- PRESS, DEMERARA.

* z°\ j 7 0 7 <@>