132 



CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 



exactly the shape of a mushroom, consisting of a round co- 

 lumn 18 inches high, surmounted by a domed head two feet 

 in diameter. 



We this morning observed a curious optical illusion, 

 caused doubtless by the state of the atmosphere and the 

 shadows of the high hills, the boats appearing to be placed 

 on the pinnacle of an elevated mass of water, from which 

 the descent was rapid on every side, so that in looking up 

 the river the current seemed to be running up hill. By 

 moonlight the reach Ave anchored in much resembled Loch 

 Tay in Scotland. The rise of water in the wet season was 

 here observed on the rocks, having worn two grooves, 

 the first 8 feet above the present level, and the second and 

 f\untest 9j feet. The nature of the hills, as well as their ap- 

 pearance, prove that they do not absorb any of the water that 



