MESA DE PAVONES. 173 



year, the animal had no doubt entered at that period 

 and concealed itself in the mire. The Indians often 

 find enormous boas, or water-serpents, in the same 

 lethargic state. 



On the 25th March they passed over the smooth- 

 est part of the steppes of Caraccas, the Mesa de Pa- 

 vones. As far as the eye could reach, no object 

 fifteen inches high could be discovered, excepting 

 cattle, of which they met some large herds, accom- 

 panied by flocks of the crotophaga ani, a bird of a 

 black colour, with olive reflections. They were ex- 

 ceedingly tame, and perched upon the quadrupeds in 

 search of insects. 



Wherever excavations had been made, they found 

 the rock to be old red sandstone or conglomerate, 

 in which were observed fragments of quartz, kiesel- 

 schiefer. and lydian stone. The cementing clay is 

 ferruginous, and often of a very bright red. This 

 formation, which covers an extent of several thou- 

 sand square leagues, rests on the northern margin 

 of the plains upon transition-slate, and to the south 

 upon the granites of the Orinoco. 



After wandering a long time on the desert and 

 pathless savannas of the Mesa de Pavones, they 

 were agreeably surprised to find a solitary farm- 

 house surrounded with gardens and pools of clear 

 water. Farther on they passed the night near the 

 village of San Geronymo del Guyaval, situated on 

 the banks of the Rio Guarico, which joins the Apure. 

 The ecclesiastic, who was a young man, and had no 

 other habitation than his church, received them in 

 the kindest manner. Crossing the Guarico, they en- 

 camped in the plain, and early in the morning pur- 

 sued their tvay over low grounds, which are often 

 inundated. On the 27th they arrived at the Villa de 

 San Fernando, and terminated their journey over the 

 llanos. 



P2 



