America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

North-West from Wiapoco rises the Mountain Gomeribo, which produces Maiz, Tobacco, Cotton-Trees, and Vines.

In the same place the Creek Wainary runs Westwardly with fresh Water a days Journey into the Countrey; and from the said Creek a high Mountain, fit for the production of Sugar and Tobacco, extends it self to the River Apurwaca, where the Wiopocaries inhabit a great Tract of Land.

The Harrithiahans.

North-West from Wiapoco flows the River Aperwacque, whose mountainous Shores bear Brasile Wood and wild Cinamon. The Stream it self takes its original out of a large Lake, in the middle whereof lies a three-corner’d Isle. South-East from the Lake dwell the Harrithiahans, beyond whose Countrey are the Rivers Cauwo, Wia, and Cajani. On the Banks of the first dwelt, Anno 1596. according to the Relation of Laurence Keymis, a People call’d Jaos, driven by the Spaniards from Moruga, and who formerly possess’d the greatest part of Guiana; they distinguish themselves from other People, by pricking their Faces full of Holes with the Tooth of a Beast not unlike a Rat: But at present, the Jaos being departed from hence, the Countrey lies desolate.

The Wia, which springs a great way up in the Countrey, hath a wide Mouth, and near several Islands convenient Harbors: The biggest of the Isles, inhabited by the Shebaios, is full of Provisions, viz. Fowl, Fish, excellent Fruit, wild Hogs, and other Beasts.

The triangular Isles, lying more Westerly, are also very fruitful, but not comparable to Gowatery. So far as the Coast extends it self with high Mountains, it is overgrown with Brasile Wood, but the lower Grounds produce Cotton, Pepper, Silk, Balsam, and the Root Wiapassa, tasting like Ginger, and exceeding good against a Lask, or the Head-ache.

Before the Mouth of Cajani appears the high Island Mattoory, surrounded by the lesser Isles Sannawony, Epenesari, and Eponeregemeræ.

Between the Rivers Cajani and Maccaria, lies the low Island Muccumbro, out of whose Center rise two Mountains, and which is inhabited, as the Main Coast by Caribbeeans, whose General Arrawicary shew’d great friendship to the Netherlanders: They observe no certain Laws for Government; Adultery and Murder they punish with Death; they are very tyrannical towards their Wives, who for the least act of incivility have their Brains beat out; they esteem one another according to the number of their Wives, the eldest of which performs all Houshold-Offices.

Caribbeeans the Inhabitants of Guiana.

The Caribbeeans are accounted to have been the first Inhabitants of this Countrey, for the Jaos, Sappaios, Arowaccas, and Paragotos, were driven hither by the Spaniards from Trinidad or Oronoque.