254 VOYAGE TO CUBA. 



CHAPTER XXr. 

 Passage to Havannah, and Residence in Cuba. 



Passage from New Barcelona to Havannah — Description of the 

 latter — Extent of Cuba— Geological Constitution — Veg-etation — 

 Climate — Pojjulation — Agriculture — Exports — Preparations for 

 joining Captain Baudin's Expedition — Journey to Batabano, and 

 Voyage to Trinidad de Cuba. 



CIIAP.5XL Humboldt and his companion sailed from the Road of 

 Departiiie New Barcelona on the 24th November at nine in the 

 from Xew evening, and next day at noon reached the island of 

 Tortuga, remarkable for its lowness and want of vegeta- 

 tion. On the 2Gth there was a dead calm, and about 

 nine in the morning a fine halo formed round the sun, 

 while the temperature of the air fell three degrees. 

 The circle of this meteor, which was one degree in 

 breadth, displayed the most beautiful colours of the rain- 

 bow, while its interior and the whole vault of the sky 

 was azure without the least haze. The sea was covered 

 Marine with a Ijluish scum, wliich under the microscope appeared 



"■to be formed of filaments, that seemed to be fragments 

 of fuel. On the 27t]i they passed near the island of 

 Orchila, composed of gneiss and covered with plants, 

 and toward sunset discovered the summits of the lloca 

 de Afuera, over which the clouds were accumulated. 

 Indications of stormy weather increased, the waves 

 rose, and waterspouts threatened. On the night of the 

 2d Deccml)er a curious optical phenomenon presented 

 itself. The full moon was very high. On its side, 



