C A N A R Y I S L A N D S . 45 



Although the body of the mountain is often wrapped in 

 clouds, and the Peak seen above them quite clear, some- 

 times the reverse of this happens ; the whole body of the 

 mountain is distinctly seen, while its summit is covered 

 with a thick, white cloud, as with a cap. This is often 

 observed in the tinest weather ; and the Spaniards on this 

 occasion say, El Pico tiene su somhreHo pursto — "The 

 peak has put his little hat on," and look out for rain. 



Towards evening, I descended below the clouds, and 

 continued my way down the mountain quite to the sea- 

 shore near San Juan de la Rambla, and at the break of 

 the mountain, entered a ravine of a frightful aspect, which 

 served as an issue to one of the sepulchral caverns of 

 the Guanches. I ascended a perpendicular rock nearly 

 one hundred feet, where a yawning cave presented itself 

 containing an immense quantity of the bones of the abo- 

 rigines of this island ; but they were too much decomposed 

 to be examined to advantage. They appeared, however, 

 to be generally of a larger size than the bones of the 

 Europeans, which coincides with the history of the Guanche 

 race. From thence I returned to this place compara- 

 tively satisfied with my excursion, although I had not 

 accomplished its intended object. 



Port Orotava, Friday, ) 

 September 6, 1833, \ 



