•1-1 M..!! 1 I\ I 111. « w l i:v. 



ion of the peak was Dine square leagues; and 

 the lower regions viewed from this point retrograded 

 in 1 1 1« - distance, the island appeared an immense heap of 

 • - i matter, hemmed round by a scanty border of 

 tation. 

 Prom the Llano del Etetama they passed through nar- 

 v defiles, and small ravines hollowed at a very remote 

 time by the torrents, first arriving at a more elevated 

 plain, then at the place where they intended to pass the 

 night This station bore the name of the English Halt 

 Two inclined rocks formed a kind of cavern, which 

 afforded a shelter from the winds. 'Though in the midst 

 of summer, and under an African sky, they suffered 

 from cold during the night The thermometer descended 

 tip low as to 41°. Their guides made up a Large fire 



with the dry branches of retama. Having neither tents 

 '..-. Humboldt and Bonpland lay down on some 

 in; of rock, and were incommoded by the flame and 

 . which the wind drove towards them. They had 

 at' d to form a kind of screen with cloths tied toge- 



ther, but their inclosure took lire, which they did not 

 perceive till the greater part had been consumed by the 



Haines. As the temperature diminished, the peak became 



vered with thick clouds. The approach of night inter- 

 rupted the play of the ascending current, which, during 

 the day, rose from the plains towards the high regions 

 phere; and the air, in cooling, lost its expa- 

 nding water. A Btrong northerly wind 

 chased the clouds; the moon at intervals, shooting 

 the vapoui posed its disk on a armament of 

 the darkest blue; and the view of the volcano threw a 

 maj( haraoter over the nocturnal scenery, Some- 



