148 



THE NATURALIST IX NICARAGUA. [Ch. VIII. 



the savannahs, the air was clear, and the peak of 

 Ometepec was a fine object in the distance. A white 

 cloud enveloping its top looked like a snow-cap, and 

 this, as the night came on, descended lower and lower, 



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1'ENA BLANCA. 



mantling closely around it, and conforming to its out- 

 line. That the savannahs should not give off the same 

 vapour as the forest has been ascribed, and, I believe, 

 with reason, to the fact that their evaporating surfaces 

 are much smaller than those of the latter, with their 

 numberless leaves heated by the previous sunshine. 



As night came on, a wetting mist drove over the top 

 of the peak, and the wind increased in strength, making 



