CAR'IBAN STOCK. One of the most im portant linguistic stocks of South America, its tribes holding at the time of the discovery nearly the whole coast and midland region of Venezuela and British Guiana. including the lower Orinoco, together with the Lesser Antil les. Everywhere they were distinguished as a warlike race, the terror of their weaker neigh bors, who were steadily retiring before them. In spite of their exceptional cruelty, they are de scribed as "the strongest, handsomest, and most intelligent" of all the natives of that portion of the continent. They were expert boatmen, mak ing use of the sail, a thing unknown among the other tribes, and in fleets sometimes numbering 100 canoes were accustomed to ascend the Ori noco, destroying everything before them. They were partly agricultural, and made excellent pottery. The present distribution of the princi pal Callihan tribes is as follows; On the river Guapore in Mato Grosso Province, Brazil, are the Palmellas. the most southerly members of the
stock. The Bakairis and the Xabuquas dwell on the upper Xingu. In Brazilian Guiana are the Apotos and Waywai: in French Hainan, the Ron. conyennes and Galibis: in Dutch Guiana. the in British Guiana, the Murnsi: and in Venezuela, the Makirifares and Motilones. The modern Caribs differ from the ancient Caribs of the Antilles in their more peaceful mode of life, the absence of cannibalism, and a less highly de eloped system of social relations. In place of the communal dwelling which formerly pre vailed among them, each family at present occu pies a separate house, sometimes built on piles as a safeguard against flood. They have a cere monial religion and practice the eouvade (q.v.). Their favorite weapon is a battle-axe of polished stone.