CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO. 173 



tion. It was one of those clear and deliciously cool nights 

 so frequent beneath the tropics. The moon stood high in the 

 zenith, encircled by a halo of coloured rings, her rays gilding 

 the margins of the mist, which in well defined outline hovered 

 like clouds above the foaming flood. Innumerable insects 

 poured their red phosphorescent light over the herb-covered 

 surface, which glowed with living fire, as though the starry 

 canopy of heaven had sunk upon the grassy plain. Climbing 

 Bignonia, fragrant Vanillas, and golden-flowered Banisterias, 

 adorned the entrance of the cave, while the rustling palm- 

 leaves waved over the resting-place of the dead. 



Thus pass away the generations of men! — thus perish the 

 records of the glory of nations ! Yet when every emanation 

 of the human mind has faded — when in the storms of time the 

 monuments of man's creative art are scattered to the dust — 

 an ever new life springs from the bosom of the earth. Un- 

 ceasingly prolific nature unfolds her germs, — regardless 

 though sinful man, ever at war with himself, tramples beneath 

 his foot the ripening fruit ! 



