284 TRINIDAD. 



and remarkable for the nearly perpendicular cliff of the moun- 

 tain from which it descends ; this may be regarded as the source 

 of the St. Joseph river. About one mile and a half from the 

 cascade, on the right bank of the river, almost within its bed, 

 and at the foot of a high hill, is the mineral spring of Maraccas ; 

 it contains a small proportion of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, 

 epsom salts, &c. These mineral waters have not yet been tested 

 to an extent sufficient to warrant a decision on their medicinal 

 properties ; but they have been used in a few cases of nervous 

 debility, and have proved efficacious ; this spring, therefore, will 

 be found of great advantage to invalids. It is in that part of 

 the mountains, stretching between Santa Cruz and Maraccas 

 bay, that Galena was found, as pretended, by Mr. Darmany. 

 Very valuable timber abounds in these wards. 



Tacarigua, to the eastward of St. Joseph, is, in general, more 

 level than the latter ward, a small section only to the north being 

 hilly; the plain slopes very gradually towards the Caroni. The 

 banks of this river are somewhat higher than the adjacent plain, 

 which, being in some parts of a retentive nature, is not easil 

 drained. The soil of the ward is, in general, light — too mu 

 so in a few spots. 



Tacarigua, strictly so called, is more fertile than Arouca. 

 is here proper to remark that the quality of the land gradually 

 improves from Port-of-Spain to St. Joseph ; but from St. Joseph, 

 eastward, it becomes gradually poorer, until we reach the table- 

 land between Aripo and Cuare. Eastward of Cuare, it again 

 improves, until meeting the fertile districts of Oropouche and 

 Manzanilla. The hilly parts of Tacarigua, and also portions of 

 the plain, are cultivated in provisions, the rest in canes, there 

 being eleven sugar estates in this ward. The river Tacarigua 

 traverses this ward, flowing from the valley of Caura. On the 

 left bank of the river, and immeditely southward of the Royal 

 Road, is the parish church of St. Mary, not far from which is the 

 country seat of the late Mr. Burnley. Between St. Joseph and 

 the Tacarigua river, houses scattered on each side of the ro; 

 form a rude village. Another village, on a more regular pi a 

 is situated opposite the Orange Grove and Dinsley estates, on 

 lands of the Paradise estate. Two miles further eastward is the 

 village of Arauca, with a Catholic church and a Presbyterian 

 chapel. 



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