CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO. 155 



intermingling waves is observed. The mariner who is un- 

 acquainted with this region would suspect the vicinity of 

 shoals, or a wonderful burst of fresh springs, such as 

 occur in the midst of the Ocean among the Antilles (2). 



On approaching nearer to the granitic shores of Guiana, 

 he sees before him the wide mouth of a mighty river, which 

 gushes forth like a shoreless sea, flooding the ocean around 

 with fresh water. The green waves of the river, which 

 assume a milky white hue as they foam over the shoals, con- 

 trast with the indigo-blue of the sea, which marks the waters 

 of the river in sharp outlines. 



The name Orinoco, which the first discoverers gave to this 

 river, and which probably owes its origin to some confusion 

 of language, is unknown in the interior of the country. For 

 in their condition of animal rudeness, savage tribes only de- 

 signate by peculiar geographical names, those objects which 

 might be confounded with others. Thus the Orinoco, the 

 Amazon, and the Magdalena, are each simply termed The 

 River, the Great River, and The Great Water ; whilst, those 

 who dwell on the banks of even the smallest streams distin- 

 guish them by special names. 



The current produced by the Orinoco between the South 

 American Continent and the asphaltic island of Trinidad 

 is so powerful, that ships, with all their canvass spread, 

 and a westerly breeze in their favour, can scarcely make way 

 against it. This desolate and fearful spot is called the 

 Bay of Sadness (Golfo Triste), and its entrance the Dragon's 

 Mouth {Boca del Drago). Here isolated cliffs rise tower-like 

 in the midst of the rushing stream. They seem to mark the 

 old rocky barrier (3) which, before it was broken through 

 bv the current, connected the island of Trinidad with the coast 

 of Paria. 



The appearance of this region first convinced the bold 

 navigator Columbus of the existence of an American con- 

 tinent. " Such an enormous body of fresh water," concluded 



