54 A NATURALIST IN THE GUIANAS 



This appears to have been the farthest point reached by 

 him, and he describes how, when he ran to the tops of 

 the first hills of the plains adjoining the river, he beheld 

 ' that wonderful breach of waters which ran down Caroli ; ' 

 and how from the momitain he saw the river as it ran in 

 three parts above twenty miles off ; * and there appeared 

 some ten or twelve overfalls in sight, every one as high 

 over the other as a church tower, which fell with that 

 fury that the rebound of waters made it seem as if it had 

 been all covered over with a great shower of rain.' He 

 says he never saw a more beautiful country, nor more 

 lively prospects ; ' hills so raised here and there, over the 

 valleys ; the rivers winding into divers branches ; the 

 plains adjoining, all fair green grass, without bush or 

 stubble ; the ground of hard sand easy to march on, 

 either for horse or foot ; the deer crossing on every path ; 

 the birds, towards evening, singing on every tree with a 

 thousand several tunes ; cranes and herons, of white, 

 crimson, and carnation, perching on the river's side ; the 

 air fresh, with a gentle easterly wind ; and cvenj stone 

 that 2ce stooped to take itp promising either gold or silver 

 by his complexion.' Above San Felix the Orinoco is of 

 imposing width, and the country on its banks is of 

 undulating character and park-like in appearance, but 

 thinly peopled. All night long the ' Delta ' forced her 

 way up against the strong yellow current. At ten in the 

 morning we sighted the hill on which Ciudad-Bolivar 

 stands, and we were soon near enough to distinguish the 

 churches and red-roofed houses which form the town. 



