636 VENEZUELA. 



from the Orinoco southward, joining that of the, Amazon — a 

 vast tract, but seldom penetrated by the traveller. 



The natives call the three zones into which they divide 

 their country the Tierras Calidas, or hot countries — rising not 

 more that 2000 feet above the sea, and in which only 

 tropical plants and fruits flourish ; the Tierras Templadas, 

 or temperate country — from 2000 to 7000 feet above the sea, 

 where the agricultural productions of Europe succeed best ; 

 and the Tierras Fiias, or cold countries — which rise above the 

 former, to the height of 15,000 feet, the summits of the 

 mountains reaching 148 feet above the snow-line. 



Two seasons exist in the tropics, into which the year is 

 divided — the wet and the dry. Though the heat is greatest 

 in the former, it is called winter, as the sun then passes twice 

 over the zenith ; while dui'ing the dry season, which is called 

 summer, the sun is in the southern hemisphere. During the 

 whole year the north-east trade-wind blows across the countiy, 

 but modified in direction and force by these seasons. 



In consequence of the very different elevations of the land, 

 the productions of nearly all parts of the world can here be 

 cultivated successfully. In the hot districts, chiefly bordered 

 by the sea, cotton, indigo, cacao, coftee, sugar, tobacco, and 

 cocoa-nuts come to perfection. The cocoa-palm, enjoying the 

 advantage of the sea-breeze, here grows to a height of seven 

 hundred feet above the ocean. No tobacco surpasses that of 

 the well-known Varina. Barley and millet, as well as wheat, 

 are produced on the more elevated tracts ; while maize is cul- 

 tivated all over the country. 



The wide-extending marshes and pools are frequented by 

 pelicans, herons, and vdld geese, ducks, and flamingoes ; while 

 other birds — chiefl}^ belonging to the FalconidaB, Ai^deida?^ 



