94 



CAUIACO — IXTKR.MITTENT FEVER. 



Population 

 of Caiiaco. 



CMAT. viiL dysentery. Men of colour, and especially Creole ne- 

 FcverT" groes, resist the influence of the climate much better 

 than any other race. It is generally observed, however, 

 that the mortality is less than might be supposed ; for 

 although intermittent fevers, when they attack the 

 same individual several years in succession, alter and 

 weaken the constitution, they do not usually cause 

 death. It is remarkable that the natives believe the air 

 to have become more vitiated in proportion as a larger 

 extent of land has been cultivated ; but the miasmata 

 from the marshes, and the exhalations from the man- 

 groves, avicenniae, and other astringent plants growing 

 on the borders of the sea, are probably the real causes 

 of the unhealthiness of the coasts. 



In 1800 the town of Cariaco contained more than 

 6000 inhabitants, who were actively employed in the 

 cultivation of cotton, the produce of which exceeded 

 10,000 quintals (90.57 cwts. avoirdupois). The capsules, 

 after the separation of the wool, were carefully burnt, 

 as they were thought to occasion noxious exhalations 

 when thrown into the river. Cacao and sugar were also 

 raised to a considera])le extent. 



As our travellers were not sufficiently inured to the 

 climate, they considered it prudent to leave Cariaco as 

 expeditiously as possible on account of the fever. Em- 

 barking early in the morning, they proceeded westward 

 along the river of Carenicuar, which flows through a 

 deep marshy soil covered with gardens and plantations 

 of cotton. The Indian women Avere washing their linen 

 with the fruit of the parapara (^Sapindus saponaria). 

 Contraiy winds, accompanied Avith heavy rain and 

 thunder, rertdercd the voyage disagreeable ; more espe- 

 cially as the canoe w\is narrow and overloaded with rav,- 

 sugar, plantains, cocoa-nuts, and passengers. Swarms of 

 flamingoes, egrets, and cormorants, were flying toward 

 the shore, while the alcatras, a large species of pelican, 

 less affx'cted l)y the weatlier, continued fishing in the 

 ])ay. The general depth of the sea is from 288 to 820 

 feet ; but at the eastern extremity of the gulf it is only 



Fmbarka- 

 t'.dii on tlie 

 C^rcnicuiir. 



