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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 85

British Guiana

British Guiana.

A Tropical Colony on the north coast of South America, with its sea coast looking towards the West Indian Islands. Sir Walter Raleigh's El Dorado.

Area.—One and a half times the size of England and Wales.

Population.—A little more than that of Brighton.

Our knowledge of the country is limited to the coast region. The ocean for some miles from the shore is a dirty yellow colour from the alluvial deposit carried into it by the Essequibo and other rivers. It is this deposit on the coast region which gives it its extraordinary fertility.

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As the Products so closely resemble those of the West Indies and Honduras they need not be examined, and thus opportunity will be given for the closer inspection of the exhibits illustrative of the homes and habits of the native Indians and the natural history of the colony

Sugar its chief product; Demarara sugar, long famous. Other products, Rum—Timber—Gums—Cocoa—Coffee.

The natives are Caribs and non-Caribs; alike in very many respects, they differ in their hammocks; the cotton hammocks you see are Carib hammocks; the palm-fibre hammocks, non-Carib.

Natural History.—The exhibits show how abundant is animal life. Notice the beauty of the birds and insects. Note, The insect homes.

The Botanical wealth of Guiana is great. The superb Victoria regina was discovered in the river Berbice; Orchids and ferns are very abundant. The forests contain hundreds of species of timber trees, among which is the Mora. On the top of the lofty mora the wild fig-tree is sometimes seen growing as a parasite.

A Pair of Sandals made of the leaf of the Eta Palm, a tree which has for the Carib as many uses as the cocoanut palm has for the native of Ceylon.

Model of Native Woman straining Cassava Pulp.—Cassava Pulp is starchy matter obtained from the root of the Janipha Manihot, a shrub about six feet high. The pulp in its natural condition has in it a poisonous narcotic. The woman has placed the pulp in the long bark strainer, and by the motion of her body is squeezing out the poison. The pure pulp will be made into bread. By chewing burnt cassava bread, and then allowing it to ferment, the natives obtain their piawarrie. See large piawarrie jar.