CHAPTER II. 



ABOUT CUMANA. 



The captain of the Pizarro conducted Humboldt and 

 Bonpland to Don Yincente Emparan, the governor of the 

 province, that they might present to him the passports 

 which had been furnished them by the Secretary of 

 State at Madrid. He received them with much cordiality, 

 and expressed his great satisfaction at the resolution they 

 had taken to remain for some time in the province, which 

 at that period was but little known, even by name, in 

 Europe. Senor Emparan was a lover of science, and 

 the public marks of consideration which he gave them 

 during a long abode in his government, contributed 

 greatly to procure them a favourable welcome in every 

 part of South America. 



The city of Cumana occupied the ground lying be- 

 tween the castle of San Antonio, and the small rivers of 

 Manzanares and Santa Catalina. The banks of the 

 Manzanares were very pleasant, and were shaded by 

 mimosas, erythrinas, ceibas, and other trees of gigantic 

 growth. The children of Cumana passed a considerable 

 part of their lives in its waters ; all the inhabitants, even 

 the women of the most opulent families, knew, how to 

 swim ; and in a country where man was so near the state 



