LAKE TACAKIGUA. 43 



to the southward, and its waters allowed to escape in the 

 Llanos. The low depression of the hills at the passage 

 of Bucarito was the outlet of the ancient lake ; a rise of 

 the water forty feet above its j^resent level Avould cause 

 it to discharge as hei-etofore. In less than a century, at 

 the present accelerated rate with which its shores are re- 

 ceding, desiccated plains, covered with growing crops and 

 luxuriant verdure, will mark the spot the lake now oc- 

 cupies. 



