Paradise poisoned.

TO THE explorers who first set foot there, it was paradise, a Garden of Eden full of nature's wonders. In this vast area of forest along the banks of the River Suriname on the Caribbean coast of South America, the soil was said to be 'luxuriant', the trees and flowers in a state of 'eternal spring' and the blissfully warm air fragrant with the scents of oranges, lemons, figs, nutmeg and 'noble aromaticks'. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]