224 CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO. 



found with astonishment by barometric measurements, (geo- 

 desical levelling being out of the question from the inacces- 

 sibility of the locality, its highly insalubrious atmosphere, and 

 the swarms of mosquitoes which fill the air), that the whole 

 fall of the Eaudal from the mouth of the Cameji to that 

 of the Toparo hardly amounts to 28 or 30 feet (30 or 32 

 English) . I say, " I found with astonishment " for this 

 shews that the dreadful noise and wild dashing and foam- 

 ing of the river are the results of the narrowing of its bed 

 by countless rocks and islands, and of the counter currents 

 produced by the form and situation of the masses of rock. 

 The best ocular demonstration of the small height of the 

 whole fall is obtained by descending from the village of 

 Maypures to the bed of the river by the rock of Manimi. 



Prom this point a wonderful prospect is enjoyed. A 

 foaming surface of four miles in length presents itself at 

 once to the eye : iron-black masses of rock resembling ruins 

 and battlemented towers rise frowning from the waters. 

 Bocks and islands are adorned with the luxuriant vegetation 

 of the tropical forest ; a perpetual mist hovers over the 

 waters, and the summits of the lofty palms pierce through 

 the cloud of spray and vapour. When the rays of the 

 glowing evening sun are refracted in these humid exhala- 

 tions a magic optical effect begins. Coloured bows shine, 

 vanish, and reappear ; and the ethereal image is swayed to 

 and fro by the breath of the sportive breeze. During the 

 long rainy season the streaming waters bring down islands 

 of vegetable mould, and thus the naked rocks are studded 

 with bright flower -beds adorned with Melastomas and 



