CAPE CODKIIA. 119 



very progress becoming the cause of their destruction, chap. xi. 

 The mangroves and the other plants with wliicli they jfan^i^o 

 always associate die as the ground dries, and when the forests, 

 salt water ceases to bathe them. Centuries after, their 

 decayed trunks, covered with shells, and half buried in 

 the sand, mark both the route which they have followed 

 in their migrations, and the limit of the land which they 

 have wrested from the ocean." 



Cape Codera, seven miles distant from the bay of cape 

 Iliguerota, is more imposing on account of its mass than Codeia. 

 for its elevation, which appeared to be only 1280 feet. 

 It is precipitous on the north, west, and east. Judging 

 from the fragments of rock found along the coast, and 

 from the hills near the town, it is composed of foliated 

 gneiss, containing nodules of reddish felspar, and little 

 quartz. The strata next the bay have the same dip and 

 direction as the great mountain of the Silla, which 

 stretches from Caraccas to Maniquarez in the Isthmus 

 of Araya, and seem to prove that the primitive chain 

 forming that neck of land, after being disruptured or 

 swallowed up by the sea along an extent of 1 21 miles, 

 reappears at Cape Codera, and runs westward in an 

 unbroken line. Toward the north the cape forms an 

 immense segment of a sphere, and at its foot stretches a 

 tract of low land, known to navigators by the name of 

 the Points of Tutumo and of San Francisco. 



The passengers In the boat dreaded the rolling in a ciiange of 

 rough sea so much that they resolved to proceed to plans. 

 Caraccas by land, and M. Bonpland, following their 

 example, procured a rich collection of plants. Hum- 

 boldt, however, continued the voyage, as it seemed 

 hazardous to lose sight of the instruments. 



Setting sail at the beginning of the night, they English 

 doubled Cape Codera with difficulty, the wind being frigate. 

 unfavourable, and the surges short and high. On the 

 21st of November, at sunrise, they were opposite Curuao, 

 to the west of the cape. The Indian pilot was fright- 

 ened at seeing an English frigate only a mile distant ; 

 but they escaped without attracting notice. The raoun- 



