CULTIVATION. 129 



one time swept by a wind from the coast, loaded with chap. xii. 

 humidity, and depositing its moisture in the higher incoiiveiii- 

 regions as the warmth increases ; and at another by a ^'l^c "f the 

 dry breeze from the interior, wliich dissipates the vapours 

 and unveils the mountain-summits. This inconstancy 

 of climate, however, is not peculiar to Caraccas, but is 

 common to the whole temperate regions near the tropics, 

 to all places elevated from 2500 to 6000 feet above the 

 sea. Uninterrupted serenity during a great part of the 

 year prevails only in the low districts adjoining the sea, 

 or on the elevated table-lands of the interior. The 

 intermediate zone is misty and variable. 



In this province the sky is generally less blue than at Tempera- 

 Cumana. The intensity of colour measured by Saus- 

 sure's cyanometer was commonly 18% and never above 

 20', from November to January, while on the coasts it 

 was from 22° to 26°. The mean temperature is 

 estimated by Humboldt at 70° or 72°. The heat very 

 seldom rises to 84°, and in winter it has been observed 

 to fall as low as 62°. The cold at night is more felt on 

 account of its being usually accompanied by a misty sky. 

 Rains are very frequent in April, May, and June. No 

 hail falls in the low regions of the tropics, but it is seen 

 here every fourth or fifth year. 



The coffee- tree is much cultivated in the valley, and Coftee-tree. 

 the sugar-cane thrives even at. a still greater height. 

 The banana, the pine-apple, the vine, the strawberry, 

 the quince, the apple, the peach, together with maize, 

 pulse, and corn, grow in great perfection. But 

 although the atmospheric constitution of this Alpine 

 vale be favourable to diversified culture, it is not equally 

 so to the health of the inhabitants, as the inconstancy of 

 the weather, and the frequent suppression of cutaneous 

 perspiration, give rise to catarrhal affections ; and a 

 European, once accustomed to the violent heat, enjoys 

 better health in the low country, where the air is not 

 very humid, than in the elevated and cooler districts. 



The travellers remained two months at Caraccas, Residence at 

 where they lived in a large house in the upper part of 



