CATARACTS OP THE ORINOCO. 181 



the question from the inaccessibility of the locality, its highly insa- 

 lubrious atmosphere, and the swarms of mosquitoes which fill the 

 air), that the whole fall of the Raudal, from the mouth of the Cameji 

 to that of the Toparo, hardly amounts to 28 or 30 feet (30 or 32 

 English). I say, u I found with astonishment ;" for this shows that 

 the dreadful noise and wild dashing and foaming of the river are the 

 results of the narrowing of its bed by countless rocks and islands, 

 and of the counter currents produced by the form and situation of 

 the masses of rock. The best ocular demonstration of the small 

 height of the whole fall is obtained by descending from the village 

 of Maypures to the bed of the river by the rock of Manimi. 



From this point a wonderful prospect is enjoyed. A foaming sur- 

 face of four miles in length presents itself at once to the eye : iron- 

 black masses of rock resembling ruins and battlemented towers rise 

 frowning from the waters. Rocks and islands are adorned with the 

 luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest ; a perpetual mist hovers 

 over the waters, and the summits of the lofty palms pierce through 

 the cloud of spray and vapour. When the rays of the glowing even- 

 ing sun are refracted in these humid exhalations, a magic optical 

 effect begins. Colored bows shine, vanish, and reappear; and the 

 ethereal image is swayed to and fro by the breath of the sportive 

 breeze. During the long rainy season, the streaming waters bring 

 down islands of vegetable mould, and thus the naked rocks are 

 studded with bright flower-beds adorned with Melastomas and Dro- 

 seras, and with small silver- leaved mimosas and ferns. These spots 

 recall to the recollection of the European those blocks of granite 

 decked with flowers which rise solitary amidst the glaciers of Savoy, 

 and are called by the dwellers in the Alps "Jardins," or "Courtils." 



In the blue distance the eye rests on the mountain chain of Cuna- 

 vami, a long extended ridge which terminates abruptly in a trun- 

 cated cone. We saw the latter (Calitamini is , its Indian name) 

 glowing at sunset as if in roseate flames. This appearance returns 

 daily : no one has ever been near the mountain to detect the precise 

 cause of this brightness, which may perhaps proceed from a reflect- 

 ing surface produced by the decomposition of talc or mica slate. 



During the five days which we passed in the neighborhood of the 

 16 



