SOIL AND VEGETATION. 63 



cation according to their productive capabilities. I should 

 remark here that, notwithstanding- the rich vegetation generally- 

 prevailing, and the excess of forests, none of the soils really 

 abound in vegetable matter. On the whole, however, they may 

 be rated as of average fertility, and several districts might sus- 

 tain comparison with the best soils of Cuba and Hayti, whilst 

 a few tracts bear the characteristics of irretrievable barrenness. 



There is a great variety of soils in the Caribbean group, but 

 the quality cannot be described as generally good. These soils 

 consist of a variable mixture of clay and sand, or gravel : they 

 are of a better quality when mixed with calcareous matter ; the 

 cerros of Aripo and Oropuche are illustrations of this fact, as also 

 the vegas of Oropuche, Tompuna, Coumuto, and Cunapo. Where 

 sand prevails, the land is very poor. The soil may be said to be 

 of average quality in the counties of St. George and Caroni, 

 and in part of those of St. David and St. Andrew. From 

 Arouca to Guanape it becomes unproductive, being a cold, 

 reddish clay, or poor silicious land, whilst from Guanape to 

 La Ceyba it is a retentive, whitish clay, or a poor sand, sup- 

 porting a languishing vegetation of ferns, sclerias, cocorits, 

 and bromelias. The whole of this tract may be considered as 

 the worst land in the colony, and not worth the labour of culti- 

 vation. On the banks of the Oropuche and Matura the land 

 is excellent ; a tract between Oropuche and Manzanilla, known 

 as the Caratal, is equal to any in the colony. Chaguanas, Cara- 

 pichaima, and Couva, under intelligent tillage, can give remu- 

 nerative crops of sugar. The total extent represented by these 

 soils is 342 J miles. 



In the Older Parian, soil generally poor; absence of cal- 

 careous matter. Mount Harris and Mount Carata in this group 

 are formed of hard sandstone, and the surrounding tracts are 

 sterile. Area 97 square miles. 



In the Newer Parian group the Nariva series is composed of 

 stiff ferruginous clay (red soil), not very fertile. In Naparima 

 it is associated with the marl formation, presenting frequent 

 alternations with the same ; it is under cane cultivation, less on 

 account of its agricultural capabilities than its close proximity 

 to the black soil. 



The Naparima marl series affords soils of excellent quality, 

 friable, and usually black, or of chocolate colour — the tierra 



