HOT SPRINGS OF MARIARA. 151 



of an amphitheatre composed of steep rocks, crowned 

 by serrated peaks. The central point is named Rin- 

 con del Diablo. These masses are composed of a 

 coarse-grained granite, and are partially covered 

 with vegetation. In the hills towards the east of 

 the Rincon is a ravine containing several small 

 basins, the two uppermost of which are only eight 

 inches in diameter, while the three lower are from 

 two to three feet. Their depth varies from three to 

 fifteen inches, and their temperature is from 133° to 

 138''. The hot water from these funnels forms a 

 rill, which thirty feet lower has a temperature of 

 only 118"4°. These springs are slightly impreg- 

 nated with sulphuretted hydrogen gas, the fluid hav- 

 ing a thin pellicle of sulphur ; while a few plants in 

 the vicinity are crusted with the same substance. 

 To the south of this ravine, in the plain extending 

 to the shores of the lake, is another fountain of the 

 same kind, which issues from a crevice. The water, 

 which is not so hot, collects in a basin fifteen or 

 eighteen feet in diameter and three feet deep, in 

 which the slaves of the neighbouring plantations 

 wash at the end of the day. Here the travellers also 

 bathed, and afterward found in the surrounding 

 woods a great variety of beautiful plants. 



While drying themselves in the sun, after coming 

 out of the pool, a little mulatto approached them, 

 bowing gravely, and making a long speech on the 

 virtues of the water. Showing them his hut, he as- 

 sured them they should find in it all the conveniences 

 of life ; but his attentions ceased the moment he 

 heard they had come merely to satisfy their curios- 

 ity, and had no intention to try the efficacy of the 

 baths. They are said to be used with success in 

 rheumatic swellings, old ulcers, and the dreadful 

 aflfections of the skin called bubas. 



On the 21st February, the travellers set out from 

 the Hacienda de Cura for Guacara and New- Valen- 

 cia. As the heat was excessive they preferred 



