46 TRINIDAD. 



rocks ; those nearest to Point Icacos are known as Los Lobos, or 

 the Wolves ; and abont the middle of the strait is El Soldado, or 

 the Soldier Rock ; the four channels formed by them and the 

 mainland are called the Serpent's Mouths. The former is be- 

 tween Point Icacos and the Wolves; the second between the 

 Wolves and a three-fathoms bank ; the third, or middle channel, 

 between the latter and the Soldier; the fourth between the 

 Soldier and the mainland. The main depth in the two first 

 channels is about five fathoms, six in the middle channel, and 

 fifteen in the fourth. Strong currents prevail in the southern as 

 well as in the northern passages. 



Mountains. — The island of Trinidad is divided in an E. and 

 W. direction into two basins or drainage- valleys, by three ranges 

 of mountains or high hills, varying from 600 to 3,100 feet above 

 the level of the sea. The northern range is the most elevated, 

 and stretches along the northern shore from Point Galera to 

 Point Mono. This range possesses a breadth of nearly seven 

 miles, occupying an area of 358 square miles. It is divided into 

 two ridges, the subordinate one rising immediately from the sea, 

 and attaining an average elevation of 800 feet ; and the main 

 ridge, which varies from 1,600 to 2,000 feet. Several high 

 peaks arise from this ridge — the Tucuche (3,012 feet) in the 

 western section, and the Cerro de Arijpo (2,740 feet) in the 

 eastern. " The purity of the air/' say Messrs. Wall and Saw- 

 kins, " the coolness of the nights, and the beauty of the scenery, 

 combine to make this the most agreeable portion of the island. 

 The elevation at which the temperate climate commences under 

 the same parallel on the adjacent continent is stated by Codazzi 

 at 1,925 feet/'' A temperate climate, therefore, we may enjoy 

 in the northern mountains. There, and especially between the 

 two ridges, where the ground is not so abrupt and rugged, it 

 would be possible to cultivate the more delicate vegetables of 

 Europe ; and I have no doubt that habitation in those mountains 

 would prove perfectly healthy. 



The southern range seems to be less elevated than the other 

 two, particularly to the westward, where it gradually declines, 

 and terminates in the low sandy point of Icacos. This range 

 does not form a continuous system, but may be considered as 

 commencing at Point Gran Cayo, extending to Canary, from 

 whence its elevation goes on decreasing to the depressions formed 



