92 TRINIDAD. 



" In its geological structure, Trinidad displays much variety, 

 in accordance with which are its surface and scenery. Great is 

 the contrast between the northern and southern portions of the 

 island, and more especially between its extreme parts, the north- 

 western and the south-western, by which, on one hand, it approaches 

 the bold lofty coasts of Venezuela, and, on the other, the low delta 

 of the Orinoco ; the former, the northern and north-western, com- 

 pletely mountainous in character, not unlike Wales, or the lake 

 districts of England, composed of clay, silicious and mica slate, 

 rising to the height of two and three thousand feet above the 

 level of the sea ; the latter, the southern and south-western, 

 almost level, or rising only in low hills, and formed chiefly of 

 alluvial matter, sands, and clays, and even mud. Intermediately, 

 the country exhibits more or less of gradation, a hilly region suc- 

 ceeding a mountainous, and, succeeding that, an undulating one, 

 varied with hills and plains, in which limestone and sandstone are 

 the prevailing rocks. 



" It has been said that no organic remains have been dis- 

 covered in the rock formations of this island. This is true, I 

 believe, as regards the slate formation, and the compact limestone 

 approaching to marble in its grain, adjoining the slate ; but not so 

 as regards the formation remote from those in the lower hills. 



" Schistose rocks, and the transition limestones, are often metal- 

 liferous, and probably those of this island are not an exception. 



" The soils of the island, also, are very much in accordance 

 with the geological formations on which they rest. Judging from 

 the many specimens, from the different parts of the country, that 

 I have examined, the majority of them may be referred to three 

 kinds : First, a gravelly loam abounding in silicious matter, 

 containing but little clay, and destitute of carbonate of lime, 

 or nearly so, and consequently not effervescing with an acid. 

 Secondly, a calcareous marl, containing a large proportion of car- 

 bonate of lime, with a portion of clay and silicious sand, and more 

 or less of the remains of infusoria, effervescing strongly with an 

 acid. Thirdly, a stiff clay, either altogether without carbonate of 

 lime, or containing only a small portion. 



" The first description of soil belongs to the mountainous dis- 

 trict, and, I believe, to the Savannahs ; the second occurs in the 

 Naparima district ; the third, in the southern part of the island ; 

 the extent of both these remains to be ascertained. 



