146 STORMY WEATHER. 



branclies, on wliich Humboldt and Bonpland were com- 

 pelled to remain stretched the greater part of the day. 

 If thej wished to take the least object out of a trunk, or 

 to use an instrument, it was necessary to row ashore and 

 land. To these inconveniences were joined the torment 

 of the mosquitos which swarmed under the roof, and the 

 heat radiated from the leaves of the palm-trees, the upper 

 surface of which was continually exposed to the solar 

 rays. They attempted every instant, but always without 

 success, to mend their situation. While one of them 

 hid himself under a sheet to ward off the insects, the 

 other insisted on having green wood lighted beneath the 

 roof in the hope of driving away the mosquitos by the 

 smoke. The painful sensations of the eyes, and the 

 increase of heat, already stifling, rendered both these 

 contrivances alike impracticable. 



On the 11th of April they found the course of the 

 river encumbered by blocks of granite rocks. They 

 passed on the west the Cano Orupe, and then a great 

 rock known by ihe name of the Rock of the Tiger. The 

 river there was so deep, that no bottom could be found 

 with a line of twenty-two fathoms. Towards evening 

 the weather became cloudy and gloomy. The proximity 

 of the storm was marked by squalls alternating with dead 

 calms. The rain was violent, and the roof of foliage, 

 under which the travellers lay, afforded but little shelter. 

 Happily these showers drove away the mosquitos for 

 some time. They found themselves before the cataract 

 of Cariven, and the impulse of the waters was so strong, 

 that they had great difficulty in gaining the land. They 

 were continually driven back to the middle of the cur- 

 rent. At length two Salive Indians, excellent swimmers, 



