WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES— VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 9I 



and transport the meal and flour in ships and frigates to Cartagena, 

 Havana, Santo Domingo, and other Windward Islands ; they raise also 

 in abundance in this district the other Spanish cereals and those native 

 to the country. 



257. They have large cattle ranches producing quantities of hides 

 which are shipped to Spain ; excellent mule ranches ; and likewise 

 abundance of swine and sheep. The mules are exported to the King- 

 doms of Peru via the New Kingdom of Granada. 



258. Close by the city runs a little river of sweet and crystal-clear 

 water, which rises in the neighboring sierras ; these have veins and 

 deposits of gold underlying them, and so they get gold from the river, 

 although for lack of Indians they neither prospect nor pan for it. A 

 large canal from this river runs through the center of the city and they 

 provide themselves with water from it ; and so, with its abundance of 

 water, the excellent climate, bright skies, and invigorating air, the city 

 is a bit of Paradise ; they have made it one great park with its quanti- 

 ties of gardens full of very handsome and fragrant flowers and rose- 

 bushes, which bloom the whole year through ; they have great numbers 

 of fruit trees, both native varieties and those of Spain, which yield 

 abundantly ; their grapevines bear excellent early grapes every 4 

 months, thanks to the admirable climate, which is uniform and without 

 change for the entire year, and to the rich soil. 



259. Since this city is the largest, richest, and healthiest in the 

 province and possesses a harbor, it is the usual residence of the Bishop 

 and Governor of these provinces. It contains a very fine parish church, 

 though this is not the Cathedral, which is in the city of Coro, but 

 eventually it will have to be transferred here, as Caracas is growing 

 so rapidly. It has two convents, one Dominican and one Franciscan. 

 There is a hospital named San Pablo, which cares for indigent sick, and 

 a shrine of the glorious martyr San Mauricio. At the present time they 

 are establishing a nunnery there. 



260. Round about the city there are numerous streams coming 

 down from all those mountain ranges, which irrigate and fertilize its 

 valleys and meadows ; in these they sow and reap abundance of wheat 

 twice a year ; corn is continually being planted and harvested, and they 

 have abundance of other vegetables and garden produce. They grow 

 excellent cabbages, which weigh as much as an arroba. The whole 

 year through they have quinces and peaches, and the other fruit trees 

 of Spain yield abundantly. 



