[66] Caladium arborescens.
[67] In speaking of the course of the Mazaruni, Mr. Barrington Brown in his “Geology of British Guiana,” says that it rises in the “Merumé mountains, part of the Pacaraima group, at a height of 2,400 feet above the sea, near the 60th degree of west longitude; it runs eastward for some miles, curving round to the south in 68° 8´ 30´´ west longitude, and 5° 34´ 23´´ north latitude, and descends to a level of 2,000 feet. From this it flows in a tortuous course in a west-north-west direction to the Cako river mouth, in 60° 44´ west and 5° 47´ 11´´ north, being joined on the way by numerous large tributaries, and descending by a set of high falls at Chi-chi to a level of 1,400 feet above the sea. Flowing smoothly along at this altitude in a north-north-west direction to Sericoeng, it is precipitated down a succession of lofty falls, occupying a distance of eight miles to a level of 500 feet. Passing along at this level with a north-north-east course, it plunges over two more sets of falls to a height of 150 feet, and, emerging from the sandstone mountains in 6° 26´ 14´´ north latitude, turns suddenly to the east-north-east for a distance of 105 miles to Teboco cataract, passing on the way near the foot of the Merumé mountains, 20 miles to the northward of its source.”
[68] The “lucanani,” or sun-fish, so called from a golden ring in its tail, weighs five or six pounds, and its flesh is by many preferred to that of the pacu. A peculiarity in the habits of this fish is that, when the young—which always swim near the mother—are in danger, the mother opens her mouth and they all rush in.
[69] During our journey the principal butterflies that we noticed were as follows:—
“Morpho Adonis,” of the most brilliant azure blue.
“Urania Leilus,” with black velvet ground and golden green bands of a silky lustre, and black tail.
“Marius Thetis,” tawny, with narrow black lines.
“Erycina Octavius,” dark bands and crimson spots, long black tail with crimson patch.
“Papilio Æneas,” velvet black wings, with red patch in middle of hinder wing, upper wings with large green spot.
“Papilio Sinon,” black wings with pale green bands.