]()0 



SAVANNAHS OF MONAI AND CARORA. 



CHAP xiv. the health of the inhabitants from Cape Codera to tlie 

 Lake of Maracaybo. 



Stieami Of tlie streams that descend N.E. towards the coast 



of Porto Cabt'llo and La Pucnta de Hicacos, the most 

 remarkable arc tlie Tocuyo, Aroa, and Yaraciiy ; the 

 valleys of Avhicli, were it not for morbid miasmata, 

 would peiiiaps be more populous than those of Aragua, 

 as the soil is prolific and the waters navigable. In a 

 lateral valley, opening into that of the Aroa, are copper- 

 mines ; and in the ravines nearer the sea are similar 

 ores and gold-washings. The total produce of botii 

 amounts to a quantity varying from 1087 to 1858 cwts. 

 of excellent metal. Indications of silver and gold have 

 been found in various parts. 



Savannahs. T''^ Savannahs or Llanos of Monai and Carora, 

 separated from the great plains of Portuguesa and Cala- 

 l)Gzo by the mountainous tract of Tocuyo and Migua, 

 although bare and arid, are oppressed with miasmata ; 

 and Humboldt seems to think that their insalubrity 

 may be owing to the disengagement of sulphuretted 

 hydrogen gas. 



