Capuchin Missions of the Caroni. 287 



and beautiful, skirting a lofty ridge of mountains running from 

 west to east, but at some distance from the base. At length ar- 

 rived at a vast enclosure resembling an English park, kept up 

 for the breeding of horses. It is considered half-way. Found 

 an empty house, or rather shed, where we breakfasted, turning 

 our horses out to graze, secured by a long rope. Rested in this 

 enchanting spot for about an hour and a half, and then proceed- 

 ed. The road more rocky and uneven, and the soil less fertile ; 

 passed a house pleasantly situated on a little hill, with a garden 

 and tobacco ground attached ; it was occupied by a negro, who 

 seemed happy in his hermitage. Entered a savanna skirted 

 by wood, and said to abound in jaguars : had not gone far be- 

 fore we started a species of racoon, who afforded capital sport, 

 but being myself in the rear, the mules were not active enough 

 to stop him, and he escaped wounded into the bushes. Scan 

 started another racoon ; took the lead and drove him into a 

 small thicket where we surrounded him, and fired three shots, 

 two of which hit him before he would start. The animal we 

 killed is called a wild dog, which he resembled much, but his 

 head was like a fox's ; skin spotted like the leopard, but good 

 for nothing, being mangy. The land higher as we advanced and 

 more undulating. Soil still rich in many places. Approaching 

 Palmar the grass was on fire : this is the Spanish method of 

 clearing the land, and doubtless tends to impoverish it, but 

 makes the herbage in the plains sweet and excellent for cattle. 

 At three P.M., reached that pretty little mission, the best laid 

 out we had yet seen. — 



[The conclusion of this journal, with a map of the traveller's 

 route, will be given in our next Number.] 



Art. XL On a Substance produced during the Distillation 

 of Coal Tar. By W. T. Brande, Sec. R.S., Prof. 

 Chem. R. I., ^c. 



Some years ago I received from Mr. Clegg, engineer to the 

 Gas Light and Coke Company, a small quantity of a brilliant 

 white crystalline substance, which I was informed was benzoic 

 U2 



