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BOOK almost uninhabitable. To the mosquito is added the OesLXXXVI. trus humanus, which deposits its eggs in the skin of the

the hills

and moun

human body, and occasions painful swellings; the Acari, which furrow the skin; venomous spiders, and ants and termites, whose formidable industry destroys the labours and the books of the inhabitants. Still higher, from 3078 to 6156 feet, in the regions of the aborescent ferns, we seldom meet with the Fuguar, boa, crocodile, lamentin, or Animals of monkey; but the tapir, the Sus tajassu, and the Felis pardalis. Man, the monkey, and the dog, are there intains. commoded by an infinite multitude of the Pulex penetrans, which is less abundant on the plains. From a height of from 6150 to 9334 feet, in the higher region of the cinchona, we no longer meet with the monkey or Mexican stag; but we now find the tiger cat, the bear, and the great stag of the Andes. Fleas abound in the Andes at this height, which is that of the Peak of Canigou. From an elevation of 9330 to 12,300 feet, is found a small species of lion, which, in the Quichoa language, is known by the name of the Pouma; the lesser bear, with a white forehead; and some of the weasel tribe. M. de Humboldt has often seen with astonishment the Colibri or humming bird at the height of the Peak of Teneriffe. Animals of The region of the grasses, from 12.300 to 15,400 feet of elevation, is inhabited by crowds of lama, Guanaco, and Alpaca, in Peru, and Chili-hueque in Chili. These quadrupeds, which here represent the genus camel of the ancient continent, have not extended themselves either to Brazil or Mexico, because, during their journey, they must necessarily have descended into regions that were too hot for them to exist in. The Lama is only met with in the domestic state; because those that are found on the western declivity of Chimborazo, became wild at the period of the destruction of Lican by the Inca Tupayupangi. The lama prefers those places in particular where snow occasionally falls. Notwithstanding the persecution which it has experienced, flocks of 300 or 400 in number are still to be seen, especially in the provinces of Pasco, at the sources of

the cold

zone.

LXXXVI.

the river Amazon, and in those of Guailas and Caxatambo, BOOK near Gorgor. This animal likewise abounds near Huancavelica, in the environs of Cusco, and in the province of Cochabamba, near the valley of Rio-Cocatages. They are seen in all directions where the summit of the Andes rises higher than the summit of Mont Blanc. The inferior limit of perpetual snow is the higher boundary, as it were, of organised beings; some of the lichens even grow under the snow itself; but the condor, (Vultur gryphus,) The conis the only animal which inhabits these vast solitudes. M. Humboldt has seen them sailing through the air at the immense height of 21,100 feet. Some sphinxes and flies have been observed at the height of 19,180 feet, and appeared to him to have been involuntarily carried into these regions by ascending currents of air.*

To this distribution of the animal kingdom, according to the elevation of the country, might be joined a sketch of the purely geographical limits which certain animals never pass. It is a remarkable phenomenon that the Alpaca. Lama, and Guanaco follow the whole chain of the Andes from Chili to the 9° of north latitude, and that none should afterwards be observed from this point to the north, either in the kingdom of Quito, or in the Andes of New Grenada. The writers of the country attribute this fact to the herb Ichos, which these animals prefer to every other kind of food, but which they do not meet with beyond the above limits. The ostrich of Buenos Ayres presents an analogous phenomenon. This great bird is not found on the vast plains of the Parexis, where, nevertheless, the vegetation appears to resemble that of the Pampas. Perhaps, however, the saline plants may not exist there. Other differences will be afterwards indicated, in the particular descriptions.

* A. de Humboldt, Description of the Equatorial Regions.

dor.

380

BOOK LXXXVII.

THE DESCRIPTION OF AMERICA CONTINUED.

Different

tions.

Particular Description of Caraccas, New Grenada, and

Quito.

BOOK THE first Spaniards who visited the coast extending from LXXXVII. Oronoko to the isthmus, were in the habit of designating it under the general name of Terra Firma.* Their king, denomina- Ferdinand, gave to the western part the appellation of Castile d'Or. This latter denomination, however, fell into disuse, and, in proportion as the rest of the continent was discovered, the former must have appeared improper. Notwithstanding this circumstance, it still continues to be employed, but it is confined to a small government, comprehending the provinces of Veraguas, Panama, and Darien; a government which seems by no means to completely correspond with the extent of Castile d'Or. A perseverance in error has led geographical writers still to retain Terra Firma within the boundary of its original extent, and to comprehend in this imaginary division the Captain-generalship of Caraccas, or Venezuela, of which

* Ovieda, Historia de las Indias, p. 9, 10, &c. ; in Barcia, Historiadores, t. I. + Idem, c. II. p. 22, Gomara, c. LXV. p. 58.

Alcedo. Dictionary, at the word Terra Firma.

Divisions.

Spanish Guiana forms a part, and the new kingdom of Gre- BOOK nada, which at present includes the kingdom of Quito. (a.) LXXXVII. Cape La Vela, and the chain of mountains which run from this promontory to join the Andes, mark the limits between. New Grenada and Caraccas. This latter general government contains the province of Venezuela, or Caraccas; Maracaibo, comprehending the districts of Merida and Truxillo; Varinas, Spanish Guiana, and Cumana, or New Andalusia, containing the district of Barcelona. The island of St. Margarita is a small military government depending on Cumana. The first conquerors of this country having observed Indian villages, built on piles, in the islands of the lake Maracaibo, gave to the whole country the name of Venezuela. Long the deplorable theatre of a horrible civil war, Caraccas has undergone so many political changes, that its topographical description, even derived from the most recent works, is accompanied with great uncertainty.*

of Carac

cas.

The chain of mountains of the Caribbean sea, which Description compose the basin of the Oronoko, having little elevation, almost every where admits of being cultivated. According to the difference of level, they enjoy, in some places, the refreshing coolness of perpetual spring, while in others, the influence of latitude is completely felt. Winter and Climate. summer, that is to say, the rainy and the dry season, completely divide the year. The former commences in Noyember, and finishes in April. During the six remaining months the rains are less frequent, sometimes even rare. Storms are much less felt since the year 1792 than before that period, but earthquakes have committed dreadful ravages. Some gold mines have been discovered, but, in Produc consequence of the revolt of the Indians, they have been

(a) [Venezuela and New Grenada, including Quito, now form the republic of Colombia.-AM. ED.]

* Neither Caraccas, New Grenada, Mexico, Chili, nor Buenos Ayres, have made the least attempt to extend or alter their boundaries. The controverted limits of Texas and Banda Oriental, originate in the bad faith of Old Spain, and the encroachments of Portugal, two old governments. The boundaries of the liberated provinces stand the same as before the revolution.-EDIT.

tions.

Mines.

Forests.

Maracaibo.

BOOK abandoned. In the jurisdiction of San Philipe, they have LXXXVII. discovered a copper mine which supplies the wants of the country, and even affords metal of excellent quality for exportation. The fishing for pearls along the coast, once of importance, is now abandoned. The north coast of the province of Venezuela produces a very great deal of fine salt. Mineral and hot springs, although very abundant, are little frequented. The forests that cover the mountains of Caraccas, would, for ages to conie, supply the most extensive wood-yards, but the nature of the surface renders it too difficult an operation to remove the trees, of which, at present, navigation, possessing little activity, does not stand in need. The forests also produce a great variety of woods, admirably adapted for dyeing and cabinet-work. Medicinal drugs, such as sarsaparilla and cinchona are also colThe lake of lected. The lake of Maracaibo furnishes mineral pitch, or pisasphaltes, which, mixed with suet, is used for careening, or caulking the bottom of ships. The bituminous vapours which float on the surface of the lake, frequently take fire spontaneously, especially during the great heats. The banks of this lake are so barren, and so unhealthy, that the Indians, instead of fixing their habitations there prefer living on the lake itself. The Spaniards found many villages constructed there, without order, it is true, or uniformity, but built on solid piles. This lake, which is seventy leagues in length, and thirty broad, communicates with the sea, but its water is constantly fresh. Its navigation is easy, even for vessels of a large size. The tide is more strongly felt in it than on the adjacent coasts. The lake of The lake of Valencia, which was called by the Indians Tacarigoa, presents a far more attractive scene. Adorned with a luxuriant vegetation, its banks enjoy an agreeable temperature. Thirteen leagues and a half long, and one in breadth, it receives the water of about twenty rivers, and yet has no outlet itself, being separated from the sea by six leagues of country covered with rugged mountains. The provinces of Caraccas are very rich in rivers, which afford great facility for irrigation. Those

Valencia.

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