belong only to the adult male, the female having the body dull green and yellow instead of scarlet, and the wings and tail brown instead of black. It is about six inches in length.

SAWARI or SOUARI (Caryocar tomentosum).-This is the tree which furnishes the well-known butternuts. The nuts grow in the interior of large fruits, filled with a whitish meal. The roots are used for making floors, and in the futtocks of ships. It thrives best on the hills. The natives are so fond of the nuts, that the possession of the finest trees is said to be an acknowledged cause of war. When the nut is cracked, the kernel is found to be filled with a white almond-like jelly.

SCARLET GROSBEAK.-See "Grosbeak, Scarlet." SCIROU (Rhamphastos toco).-See "Toucan." SCREAMER, HORNED (Palamedea cornuta).-This fine bird is about as large as a turkey, and derives its popular name from a small horn-like appendage situate upon the upper part of the head. The object of this appendage is absolutely unknown. Some zoologists believed it to be employed as a weapon, but such an opinion is simply absurd, as no bird strikes with any part of its head except the beak, and even if the Screamer did so, the horn would be quite inadequate as a weapon of offence.

When it wishes to attack any foe, it uses the sharp spurs, which are attached to the wings, are very strong, and about an inch in length.

The natives call it by the name of Kamichi. SILK-GRASS.-This peculiarly useful fibre is obtained from the leaf of one of the Aloe tribe (Agave vivipara).

The fibres run nearly parallel to each other throughout the whole length of the leaf, and are extracted by steeping the leaves in water until they are quite soft, and then drawing them through a loop of cord, so as to clear off the decayed pulp and preserve the fibres. These are then dried in the sun and tied in bundles. The Silk-grass is of incalculable value to the natives, who always have a supply on hand. The strength of the fibre is really wonderful, and though so fine that it seems as if it would snap at a touch, it seems more like steel wire than a vegetable fabric. A coil of it is always attached to the quiver. Why it is not largely used in this country I cannot imagine. It grows in the greatest abundance, can be easily extracted from the leaf, and is not only strong, but light. SILOA BALI.-This name is sometimes spelt as Ciroubali, or Siruabali. There are several trees going by this name, all belonging to the genus Eperna, and therefore allied to the wallaba-tree, q.v. The wood is excellent for ship-building, and Mr. McTurk, who collected specimens of Guianan woods for the Paris Exhibition of 1878, says that it is even better than greenheart, q.v., and ought to be classed' at Lloyds among the A 1 woods. As the wood is light, and floats well, it is much used for boat-building.

When freshly cut, it has a strong aromatic scent, and the juice is bitter. The ship-worm (Teredo) will not touch it, and it is therefore useful for planking boats. SLOTH, THREE-TOED, or A1 (Bradypus tridactylus). -Waterton's account of this animal is so full and

ΑΙ.

accurate that little needs to be added. The mark on the back of the male is most singular, and looks exactly as if it had been stamped with an oval-shaped iron, very hot along the centre, so as to burn away the hair nearly to the skin, and biacken it. Then, if the iron be not quite so hot on either part of the centre, it would press down the fur and turn it brown. Lastly, supposing the iron to be only hot enough towards the edges to scorch the fur slightly, we shall produce a fair imitation of the mark impressed by

upon the otherwise long, and hay-like fur.
ral line then is black, and very decidedly

marked. On either side, the fur is still short, but of a creamy colour, and it fades by short bands of brown into the grey hue of the fur. Stedman says that the animal is popularly called the Loggurree or Sheep-Sloth, and that the names Ai, or Heeay, are given to it on account of its plaintive cry. The natives seemed to be very much afraid of its claws, and the first specimen which was brought to him had been deprived of all its feet, so as to render it harmless.

The illustrations are taken from a specimen in Waterton's museum, and are given in order to show one of the characteristic attitudes assumed by the animal, as well as the position and shape of the mark on the back of the male.

SLOTH, TWO-TOED (Bradypus didactylus).-It is well known that Waterton was the original discoverer of the real habits of the Sloth, and showed how entirely false were the accounts of Buffon and others. So full is his description that no traveller has been able to add any important particulars which Waterton has not mentioned.

In Surinam, the popular name for this animal is Dog Sloth. When motionless, it clings to the branches in such a manner, that even if seen, it would be mistaken by most persons for a mere excrescence on the bark. The specimen which I saw in the Zoological gardens, was remarkable for the extremely wet state of the muzzle. SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja).

SPUR-WING.-See "Water Hen, Spur-winged." STABROEK.-The reader will bear in mind that the country now known as British Guiana, was originally Dutch Guiana. The capital of Demerara then was called Stabroek, but since Guiana has passed into the possession of England, the name of the capital was changed, and it is now called Georgetown. STING RAY (Trygon vastinaca).-Many species of Sting Ray are known, and they all belong to the Skate family. They are well known by their long whip-like tails, and the sharp, doubly barbed bone which proceeds from the base of the tail, and becomes a weapon which can be wielded with terrible effect.

As a rule, the Guianan natives are not a warlike race, but when war is forced upon them, their weapons are very formidable. War arrows, for example, are sometimes headed with the bone of the Sting Ray, and are nearly sure to cause death, as, when the arrow strikes the enemy, the force of the blow causes its very brittle head to snap asunder, and to leave several barbs imbedded in the body. The Polynesian warriors probably took the bone of the Sting Ray as a model for their many-barbed spears.

SUGAR-CANE.-The principal plant which is used for the production of sugar is the gigantic grass known as Sugar-cane (Saccharinum officinarum). It was originally brought from the East Indies to Southern Europe by the Crusaders, and so made its way into the colonies. There are many species of saccharinum, or sugar-grasses. Some of our own grasses have a perceptible saccharine flavour.

SUN-BIRD.-Sometimes called the Sun-Heron (Eurypyga helias).-In Barbadoes it is called Tigri-Fowlo. The following account of the bird is from C. Kingsley's At Last:

"These are strange birds too. One, whom you may see in the Zoological Gardens, like a plover with a straight beak and bittern's plumage, whose business it is to walk about the table at meals uttering sad metallic noises and catching flies.

"Its name is Sun-Bird, 'sun-fowlo,' of the Surinam negroes, according to dear old Stedman, 'because, when it extends its wings, which it often does, there appears on the interior part of each wing a most beautiful representation of a sun. This bird,' he continues very truly, 'might be styled the perpetual motion, its body making a continual movement, and its tail keeping time like the pendulum of a clock'

Stedman also calls it by the name of Flycatcher, one of the many instances of misleading nomenclature which are to be found in books of travel. The colour of the sun-bird is reddish, spotted with black, and there is a round black spot on the small head. The beak and legs are green.

TANGARA.-Mis-spelling for Tanager.-See "Sangre

do Buey."

TAPIR (Tapirus terrestris).-The Tapirs form one of the links connecting the elephants with the swine, and the only species which survive, i.c. in Tropical America, Malacca and Sumatra, really look as if they were extinct pachyderms that had been restored to the world.

The Tapir is never found far from the water, in which it disports itself as if it belonged naturally to

that element. If alarmed on land, it always makes. for the river, into which it plunges, and then can escape from any foe except man. It is a vegetable eater, feeding mostly on wild gourds, melons, and similar fruits. It is easily tamed, and soon becomes as familiar as a dog.

TAURONIRA (Humirium floribundum). -- Found plentifully in sandy ground near swamps, but not in them.

The natives perfume their hair with a minute fungus which always grows in the newly-cut wood of the Tauronira. The timber is chiefly used for house-frames and wheel-spokes. The tree is about ninety feet in height.

TIGER.-See "Jaguar."

TIGER-BIRD.-There are several species of these birds, which evidently derive their popular name from the mottled brown and yellow under-surface in some of the species. That which is mentioned by Waterton is Capito Cayanus. They are all little birds, being on an average, about as large as the bullfinch. Most of the species are South American, but some are from Africa. Some totally distinct birds belonging to the genus Tigrisoma are also called Tiger-birds.

TIGER-CAT.-One of the small Leopards known as Margays (Leopardus tigrinus). Several species of leopard are called by this name. Waterton tamed one of them, brought it home, and actually trained it to run with the fox-hounds. It was very useful as a rat-catcher.

TINAMOU.-These birds all belong to the genus Tinamotis, and are all natives of South America. They are on an average about the size of a grouse. They have very short tails, which gives them rather a lumpish appearance. They seem to be rather stupid birds, and can be caught by a noose fixed to the end of a long stick. The species which is mentioned by Waterton under the name of Maam is probably Tinamotis elegans.

TIRANA.-See "Sun-Bird."

TORTOISE. This is the Box-Tortoise (Cistuda Carolina), so called because it can not only draw its

TORTOISE.

limbs and head within the shell, but can fold the shell together, so that it is quite invulnerable.-See Sydney Smith's simile on page 3. The negroes call it by the name of Cooter.

It is always to be found in dry situations, preferring the pine forests, because they also love a dry soil. It is of small size, and as it is very prettily coloured, it is sometimes manufactured into a snuff-box, being mounted in silver, and having the movable plates fitted with hinges, and spring-clasps. The colour is most variable, but black and yellow are the most conspicuous hues. TOUCAN.-Tropical America

TOUCAN.

produces an inexhaustible variety of living creatures, and there is perhaps none more remarkable than that extraordinary groups of birds known as Toucans, from the native name Toco. Kingsley seems to have been greatly impressed with the appearance of the toucan, and agrees with Waterton that it is essentially a fruit-eating bird:

"A Toucan out of the primaval forest, as gorgeous in colour as he is ridiculous in shape.

His general plumage is black, set off by a snow-white gorget fringed with crimson; crimson and green tail

essays, and admire the masterly manner in which Waterton handled the subject, and the completeness with which he cut away the ground from under the feet of his antagonist.

The Aura Vulture, popularly known as the Turkey Buzzard, is very common in its own country, and in civilized places is protected by law, on account of its value as a scavenger. Waterton states, in corroboration of his own view of the that during the dreadful plague in Malaga, which has already been mentioned on p. 2, the Vulture did inestimable service.

VULTURE, AURA.

case,

"So great was the daily havoc of death, that no private burials could be allowed, and many a corpse lay exposed in the open air until the dead carts made their rounds at nightfall to take them away to their last resting-place, which was a large pit, prepared by the convicts in the day time. "During this long-continued scene of woe and sorrow, which I saw and felt, I never could learn that the Vultures preyed upon the dead bodies which had not had time enough to putrefy. But, when the wind blew in from the Mediterranean, and washed ashore the corrupted bodies of those who died of the pestilence, and had been thrown overboard from the shipping, then it was that the vultures came from the neighbouring hills to satisfy their hunger.'

VULTURE SUNNING ITSELF.

The popular name of turkey buzzard is given to the bird on account of its resemblance to the common turkey, and many a new comer has found himself an object of derision because he has shot an Aura Vulture, taking it for a turkey. The smaller illustration is taken from a sketch at the Zoological Gardens, representing the Vulture in a favourite attitude, sitting on its ankles, with its wings half spread, rejoicing in the sun.

VULTURE, KING (Sarcorhamphus papa).-Being one of the longest and most powerful of the Vulture tribe, this bird has derived its name from the tyranny which it exercises over the aura and black vultures, not allowing them to eat until its own hunger is satisfied. The beautiful colours which adorn the beak are well and accurately described by Waterton, and it is on account of these fleshy excrescences that the bird is called by the scientific name of Sarcorhamphus, or "flesh-beaked." These colours, however, are not to be found in the young bird, and do not make their appearance until the fourth year. The name of papa is equivalent to that of pope, and signifies that the bird is a sort of pope among the other vultures. Its curious facility for discovering dead carrion and snakes has already been mentioned on p. 50. WALLABA-TREE (Eperna falcata).-So called from the shape of the pods, which resemble a sickle, Lat. falx. "I passed. the Wallaba-Tree, with its thin curved pods dangling from innumerable bootlaces, six feet long."-C. Kingsley. The wood of the wallaba splits freely, and is used for staves and shingles. The oily resin exudes from the tree when wounded. Also, see "Siloabali."

WALLABABA.-See "Cotinga, Pompadour." WARACABA.-See "Trumpeter." WATER-HEN, SPUR-WINGED (Parra Jacana).Several species of Jacana are known, and are at once recognizable by the enormous proportionate length, and slenderness of the toes.

This provision of nature enables them to walk with safety upon the floating leaves of water-plants, and so to procure its foud, which consists of aquatic insects, &c. It is a good swimmer and diver, but its powers of wing are trifling. The magnificent leaf of the

Victoria regia is a great favourite with the Jacana, which finds a firm footing on a leaf which is able to sustain the weight of a little girl some six or seven years old.

On each wing is a sharp and rather strong spur, which has earned for the bird the popular name of Spur-wing. It is also remarkable for a curious leathery excrescence, which rises from the base of the beak, both above and below.

WATERMAMMA.-Throughout the whole of Guiana there is a superstitious dread of some strange being which, like the nippen of Norway, the gnomes, goblins, and other malignant semi-spiritual beings of Europe, the jinns of Asia, and the jumbies of Africa, take a demoniacal delight in waylaying and murdering travellers.

The Watermamma seems to be able to assume various forms, though it generally prefers that of a human being. Mr. Brown mentions it under the name of water-child.

"On our way we passed a deep pool, where there was an eddy, in which the guide informed us there lived a "water-child" covered with long hair. A woodskin (i.e. canoe) with Indians was passing the spot one day, when the water-child came to the surface, caught hold of, and upset the canoe. One of its occupants sank with it, and, being seized by the child, never came up to the surface again."

This account, it will be seen, tallies exactly with that of Waterton.

WAX.-See "Kurumanni."

WHIP-POOR-WILL.-See "Goatsuckers." WHIP-SNAKE (Philodryas viridissimus). Several Snakes are called by this name, because their long, slender bodies look very much like the plaited thong of a hunting-whip. Indeed, more than once a Whip-snake has been grasped under the impression that it was a whip-thong which had been dropped in the path.

Some of them are venomous, but that which is mentioned by Waterton is perfectly harmless. It is about two feet in length, of a lovely green colour, and very active, darting among the leaves and branches with such rapid agility, that the slightest twig scarcely bends under its weight.

WHO-ARE-YOU.-A Goatsucker; species uncertain. WILLY-COME-GO.-Ditto.

WOODPECKER, RED-HEADED (Melanerpes erythrocephalus).

WOODSKIN.-Popular name for a Bark Canoe. "Purple-Heart."

See

WORK-AWAY.-A Goatsucker; species uncertain. WOURALI. The information acquired by Waterton is most interesting, and it is to his energy and perseverance that we owe our knowledge of the most wonderful poison ever invented by savage races. As may be seen from Waterton's account, its manufacture is evidently the result of experience. More than one substance is used in it, and as the Wourali made by the Macoushis, one of the five great tribes, is so superior in quality that the other tribes are glad to buy it, there is no doubt that very great skill is required for its preparation. Even among the Macoushis, there are some families which are celebrated for the strength of the Wourali made by them, and the secret of its manufacture is said to be handed down from father to son, the pi-ay-men, or conjurors, being the chief manufacturers.

Several instances are known of experiments made in Europe with Wourali, and which have failed. I have little doubt that the poison with which they were made was not genuine, or that it had been neglected. The savages of Guiana are quite as expert at adulteration as the civilized milkman, publican, or grocer, and are perfectly capable of making Wourali for the market, but not for use.

Waterton never failed with the experiments which he made with the poison which he himself obtained from the Macoushis while dwelling among them. Nor, as far as I know, has any one failed with Waterton's poison. I made a few experiments with some of it, and found that his account of it was literally true.

Death was not instantaneous, but the creature which was wounded seemed to be immediately deprived of all wish to move. On the spot it was wounded, there it remained, its eyes giving no indication of sensitiveness when touched, and its limbs gradually relaxing as if in sleep. Yet the poison which I used had been preserved nearly forty years at Walton Hall, but it

had been carefully kept from damp, which injures, even if its does not destroy its powers.

The necessity for some such poison is evident from the fact that on account of the exuberant luxuriance of tropical vegetation, a mortally wounded monkey, if only able to traverse a couple of hundred yards, would be hopelessly lost, and whether the body remained wedged among the boughs or fell to the ground would be a secret only known to the vultures and carrion-feeding insects.

The peculiar "Quake" or basket into which the Wourali-maker puts his materials, is shown on page 61. Chief among the materials is the Wourali Vine (Strychnos toxifera). This, as its name imports, is allied to the plant which furnishes the well-known strychnine poison.

When full grown, its vine-like stem is about three inches in diameter, covered with a rough greyish bark, like that of the vine. The dark green leaves are oval in shape, and are set opposite to each other. It is a tolerably common plant in certain places, but it is very local, and among the abundance of herbage is not readily distinguishable. It bears a round fruit, shaped like an apple, and containing seeds imbedded in a very bitter pulp.

The root of a very bitter taste" is evidently the hyarri, or haiarri, a plant belonging to the genus Lonchocarpus, chiefly used in poisoning fish. Of this plant the following description is given by the Rev. J. H. Bernau, in his Missionary Labours in British Guiana:

"The haiarri is a papilionaceous vine, bearing a small bluish cluster of blossoms, producing a pod about two inches in length, containing some small grey seeds. The root itself is stronger in its effects than the vine, and is always preferred by the Indians. A solid cubic foot of this root will poison an acre of water, even in the rapids. In creeks and standing water, its effects are still more extensive."

When used, the soft yellow roots are pounded with a stone or mallet and steeped in water, which is then thrown into the river. Heaps of the pounded roots are often found on the stones on the river-bank, showing that the fish have been lately poisoned. They appear to be stupefied by the poison, and fleat on the surface, when they are either shot with arrows or simply lifted out by hand.

No injurious effect on the flesh is produced by the poison, which has been conjectured to paralyse the gills, and so to kill the fish, or at least to render it senseless, by asphyxiation. Perhaps the paralysing effect of the Wourali may be due to the haiarri juice. Another plant, called Konamie, is used for the same purpose. It belongs to the Composite.

The two bulbous plants" which supply the glutinous matter I cannot identify.

As to the red-pepper, ants, and snake-fangs, I do not believe that they have any effect in strengthening the poison. When rightly prepared, it has about the consistence of treacle, and possesses a fragrant and penetrating odour peculiarly its own. Although so deadly when it directly enters the blood, it is, like the poison of snakes, harmless when swallowed. I have tasted some with which Waterton furnished me, and found it to be intensely bitter, with somewhat of a quassia-like aroma, and that its taste was as unique as its smell.

Waterton not only succeeded in procuring the manufactured poison, but also the whole of the materials of which it is made. Unfortunately, the canoe was capsized in the falls of the Essequibo river, the precious parcel was lost, and there was no second opportunity of replacing it. As to the abandonment of the temporary hut after the Wourali has been made, subsequent travellers have said that the hut is not only abandoned, but burned to the ground, so as not to leave a trace of the mode by which the poison was prepared. WREN (Troglodytes eudon).

YAM (Dioscorea alata).-The plant is closely allied to our common Bryony. Several species are cultivated. YAWARACIRIS.-These pretty little birds are popularly called Blue Creepers, on account of the prevailing hue of the plumage. They belong to the genus Coreba. Waterton's descriptions of the two commonest species are admirable. The first of his Yawaraciris is Careba cyanea, and the second, "still lovelier than the first" is Careba cærulea. I regret to say that vast numbers of both birds are killed in order to furnish decorations for ladies' hats.