the sand-hills of moderate height bordering the
Atlantic are clothed by the superb vegetation of the tropics,--the
forest extending to, and even climbing up the sides of the Rocky
Mountains. Vast timber trees, the purple and green heart, the stately
mora, the locust-tree, raise their heads above their smaller brethren,
conquering in the struggle for room to allow their foliage to expand;
while below, the moist carpet of fallen leaves, fungi, and moss,
increases the richness of the vegetation. Here also are numerous
graceful palms,--the cocorite, from which the Indians form their
poisoned arrows; the troali, with broad and long leaves, used for
thatching their huts. The graceful manicol, rising to a great height,
bends, like the weeping willow, its slender stem over the stream; and,
with several other species of palm, it affords the succulent cabbage.
Beautiful parasites hang in every direction from the trunks and boughs--
sipos ascending and clinging in intricate network, interlacing the
trunks and branches, and often supporting the remnants of the trees they
themselves by their fatal embrace have destroyed; indeed, the same style
of forest here exists as throughout the Valley of the Amazon.

As the flora is much the same on a similar altitude, so there is little
difference in the fauna, although some species are found in Guiana which
are unknown in the latter region. The native tribes, however--the red
men of the wilds--differ considerably. Near the supposed site of the
famed El Dorado at Pirara, situated on the borders of Brazil, some
thirty years ago, an attempt was made to carry, not the gold that
perishes, but the joyful news of salvation, to the long-benighted
Indians in that region. It was blessed, and was prospering greatly, and
gave promise of the speedy conversion of the Macusi tribe and others,
when some Brazilian Roman Catholic priests, hearing of it, determined on
its destruction, and induced their government to claim the region as
Brazilian territory. A detachment of militia was despatched, and took
possession of the village. The Indians, fearing lest the Brazilians
might conduct them into slavery, dispersed into the forests and
mountains, while the missionary with difficulty escaped with his life.

The distance to be traversed from the British capital of George Town to
Pirara is about three hundred miles; and though the scenery is of that
enchanting character which, as the enthusiastic Waterton d