44 THE MOUNTAIN-LAKE, 



covered solely with thickets of a species of Amo- 

 mum, called Obuhl by the natives, its pinnated 

 leaves rising to the height of eight feet above the 

 soil, and emitting, when crushed, a powerful and 

 agreeable odour, not unlike that of pimento. 



The towering heights on either side of our 

 route frequently presented the deceptive appear- 

 ance of closing upon our path, and as often led 

 me to anticipate the task of ascending them. 

 We continued, however, along the torrent, with- 

 out surmounting any abrupt eminence, until in 

 the vicinity of the lake, when a steep and rugged 

 hill rose before us, covered with vegetation, and 

 bounded on our left by a lofty cliff, from the 

 summit of which a broad cascade sprung majes- 

 tically over a verdant precipice, with a fall of 

 more than two hundred feet, and contributed its 

 waters to the river we had tracked. On the 

 summit of this hill, the valley and lake of Vai- 

 hiria burst impressively^upon our view, spreading 

 at our feet an enchanting scene of placid and 

 picturesque beauty, for which no description 

 had prepared me, since none could do justice to 

 its merits. A short and abrupt descent con- 

 ducted us into a level valley, bounded on all 

 sides by rocky heights, luxuriantly wooded, and 

 inaccessible, except at the spot where we entered, 

 or over a similar hill on the opposite side. 



