6 FEOM LA GUAIKA TO CAEACAS. 



him, is one of surpassing loveliness and grandeur. To his 

 left and far below he beholds the terminus of the deep 

 ravine of the Quebrada de Tipe, which running down the 

 mountain-slope, spreads out at its base into a plain of exu- 

 berant fertility, covered with beautiful estates of growing 

 corn, bananas, and other productions, sustained by irriga- 

 tion. The extension of this plain, or, rather, low ridge of 

 land, into the sea, forms the promontory of Cabo Blanco, 

 whose white, barren shores glisten in the distance. 

 Farther to the right, and almost beneath his feet, lie the 

 village of Marquitia and its grove of cocoa-nut trees, 

 which so impresses the traveller as he approaches from 

 the ocean, Lookinoj to the right and southward are seen 

 vessels in the port, riding at their anchorage. And there 

 is La Guaira, encircled by the sea on the one side, and by 

 an amphithcatral wall of rock on the other, while beyond 

 the ocean stretches to the horizon, striped by lines of 

 billows which come I'olling in toward the shore. 



From the half-way station the ascent is much easier, 

 owing to the sinuosities of the road, and the less precipi- 

 tousness of the Cordillera as we approach its summit. 

 The scenery also grows wilder and vegetation less luxu- 

 riant as we ascend. The clouds through which we pass 

 give forth a drizzling rain, and the increasing cold renders 

 our overcoats necessary for comfort. Respecting the 

 change of temperature experienced in passing from the 

 tierra caliente to the tierra fr'io, as the high elevations are 

 called, one is liable to form a wrong estimate : for it must 

 be remembered that the traveller in his ascent passes in a 

 few hours from the burning sands of the tropical coast to 

 an altitude of some seven thousand feet, the highest point 

 of the range over which the road passes. This elevation, 

 although not great, has a temperature so cool, that, in 

 entering it suddenly from an extreme of heat, there is ex- 

 perienced a sensation that leads to an erroneous conclusion. 



