98 Col. R. Wright's Meteorological Observations made 



Grenada. The whole of the inhabited part of it belongs to 

 the hot country or temperate mountain zone. The following 

 are the heights of the principal towns through its whole ex- 

 tent: 



Caracas 2903 ft. Mean temp. 71° 



Valencia 1495 ■ 78 



Barquisimeto... 485 78 



Tocuyo 2058 75 



Truxillo 2684 75 



Merida 5280 66 



Cucuta about 400 83 



The differences of climate and productions betwixt the dif- 

 ferent parts of the country are consequently trifling, and form 

 no bar to general communication betwixt the coast and in- 

 terior. There is therefore an amalgamation of ideas, an ho- 

 mogeneity, if we may use the term, in the mass of feelings 

 and opinions on political subjects. The population is not 

 only more enlightened, but, what is of more importance, more 

 equally so. A different state of things presents itself when 

 we examine the centre and south. The main ridge of the 

 Andes ascends rapidly from the frontier of Venezuela, and, 

 by its direction from north to south, places the population at 

 a continually increasing distance from the sea-ports of the At- 

 lantic ; while its superior elevation producing a different cli- 

 mate and temperature, gives birth to new habits and a distinct 

 nationality. To descend to the coast from these altitudes is a 

 matter both of risk and difficulty. The line betwixt the 

 Llaneros and Serranos is strongly drawn, and a separation of 

 character evident. The country from Cucuta to Bogota 

 through Pamplona and Tunja has a mean elevation of from 

 8000 to 10,000 feet, and a temperature of about 59° Fahr. 

 It is true that Bogota communicates with Euroj)e by the val- 

 ley of the Magdalena ; but the length and inconvenience of 

 this channel of intercourse render it accessible but to few. 

 Hence the struggle of opinions in New Grenada, where the 

 civilization of the superior class is out of proportion to that of 

 the bulk of the people. 



The Quitenian Andes afford us another powerful illustra- 

 tion of this view of the subject. The following is the line of 

 elevations betwixt Quito and Chimborazo. 



Quito 9537 ft. 69° Fahr. 



Llactacunga... 10,285 57° 



Hambato 61° 



Riobamba 9377 57° 



Guaranda 9075 58° 



The roads which descend to the coast of the Pacific are 



