58 IN SIGHT OF LAND. 



not wishing to visit Mexico until tliej had nrade some 

 sojourn on the coasts of Venezuela and Paria, they 

 thought it best to land at Cumana. Humboldt was 

 anxious to behold in their native site the beautiful 

 tropic plants which he had seen in the conservatory at 

 Vienna. 



On the morning of the loth they perceived a very low 

 islet, covered with a few sandy downs, on which they 

 could discover with their glasses no trace of habitation 

 or culture. Cylindrical cactuses rose here and there in 

 the form of candelabra. The soil, almost destitute of 

 vegetation, seemed to have a waving motion, in conse- 

 quence of the extraordinary refraction which the rays 

 of the sun underwent in traversing the strata of air in 

 contact with plains strongly heated. Under every zone, 

 deserts and sandy shores appear like an agitated sea, 

 from the effect of mirage. 



The coasts, seen at a distance, were like clouds, in 

 which each observer met the form of the objects that 

 occupied his imagination. The bearings of the vessel, 

 and the chronometer being at variance with the charts 

 which they had to consult, the crew and the passengers 

 were lost in vain conjectures. Some took mounds of 

 sand for Indian huts, and pointed out the place where 

 they alleged the fort of Pampatar was situated ; others 

 saw herds of goats, which were common in the dry 

 valley of St. John ; or descried the lofty mountains of 

 Macanao, which seemed to them partly hidden by the 

 clouds. The captain resolved to send a pilot on shore, 

 and the men were preparing to get out the long-boat 

 when two canoes were perceived sailing along the coast. 

 The vessel fired a gun as a signal for them, and hoisted 



