WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 117 



into one another that the eye cannot distinguish where 

 they begin, nor where they end, while the distant black 

 rocks have the appearance of a herd at rest. Nearly in 

 the middle there is an eminence, which falls off gradually 

 on every side ; and on this the Indians have erected their 

 huts. 



To the northwai'd of them the foremost forms a circle, 

 as though it liad been done by art ; to the eastward it 

 hangs in festoons ; and to the south and west it rushes 

 in abruptly, disclosing a new scene behind it at every step 

 as you advance along. 



This beautiful park of nature is quite surrounded by 

 lofty hills, all arrayed in superbest garb of trees; some in 

 the form of pyramids, others like sugar-loaves towering 

 one above the other, some rounded off, and others as 

 though they had lost their apex. Here two hills rise up 

 in spiral summits, and the wooded line of communication 

 betwixt them sinks so gradually that it forms a crescent ; 

 and there the ridges of others resemble the waves of an 

 agitated sea. Beyond these appear others, and others past 

 them ; and others still farther on, till they can scarcely be 

 distinguished from the clouds. 



There are no sand-flies, nor bete-rouge, nor mosquitos, 

 in this pretty spot. The fire-flies during the night vie in 

 numbers and brightness with the stars in the firmament 

 above; the air is pure, and the north-east breeze blows 

 a refreshing gale throughout the day. Here the White- 

 crested Maroudi, which is never found in the Demerara, 

 is pretty plentiful ; and here grows the tree which pro- 

 duces the Moran, sometimes called Balsam-capivi. 



Your route lies south from this place ; and at the ex- 

 tremity of the savanna you enter the forest, and journey 

 along a winding path at the foot of a hill. There is no 

 habitation within this day's walk. The traveller, as usual. 



