66 FOOT OF THE MOUNTAINS. 



began tlieir journey. On account of the extreme diffi- 

 culties of tlie road, tliev bad been advised to reduce their 

 baggage to a very small bulk. Two beasts of burden 

 were sufficient to carry tlieir provision, their instruments, 

 and the paper necessary to dry their plants. The morn- 

 ing was deliciously cool. The road, which led to Cuma- 

 nacoa, ran along the right bank of the Manzanares, pass- 

 ing by the hospital of the Capuchins. On leaving Cu- 

 mana they enjoyed during the short duration of the twi- 

 light, from the top of the hill of San Francisco, an 

 extensive view over the sea, the plain covered with 

 golden flowers, and the mountains of the Brigantine. 



After walking two hours, they arrived at the foot of 

 the high chain of the interior mountains, which stretched 

 from east to west ; from the Brigantine to the Cerro de 

 San Lorenzo. There, new rocks appeared, and with 

 them another aspect of vegetation. Every object as- 

 sumed a more majestic and picturesque character. The 

 soil, watered by springs, was furrowed in every direction ; 

 trees of gigantic height, covered with lianas, rose from 

 the ravines ; their bark, black and burnt by the double 

 action of the light and the oxygen of the atmosphere, 

 contrasted with the fresh verdure of the pothos and dra- 

 contium, the tough and shining leaves of which were 

 sometimes several feet long. 



From the top of a hill of sandstone, they had a mag- 

 nificent view of the sea, of Cape Macanao, and the pen- 

 insula of Maniquarez. At their feet an immense forest 

 extended to the edge of the ocean. The tops of the trees, 

 intertwined with lianas, and crowned with long wreaths 

 of flowers, formed a vast carpet of verdure, the dark tint 

 of which augmented the splendour of the aerial light. 



