64 TiMEHRI. 



utilising their hands at the same time for knitting. They 

 are about | white and ^ Indian and possibly such a life 

 of toil combined with their maternal cares is the cause of 

 their early break down. Both men and women are as 

 solemn as Dutchmen but very polite and respeflful, 

 none passing without an " A Diosf" or " Salud SenorT 

 A few bright eyed young faces with long raven tresses 

 are seen now and then peeping out of the doorways, and 

 one regrets that their charms have but such an ephemeral 

 existence. Late in the afternoon we reached Porlamar. 

 Here is an ugly looking church, a large plaza, or square, 

 with an ornamental fountain in the centre and stunted 

 trees, — " Llaque," a hardwood used for boat building— 

 fairly broad streets, at right angles, very little verdure 

 anywhere, and the same white buildings with red tiled 

 roofs, iron gratings for windows, and an excess of heavy 

 blank walls, but comfortable courtyards with flowers and 

 fountains inside. The fa6l is the Spaniards (and Venezue- 

 lans) build their houses on different principles to West 

 Indians ; with us the design is to catch all the breeze 

 possible, disregarding the sun and glare— e.g. iron roofs 

 and jalousie doors and windows — the Venezuelans exclude 

 both. The constru6lion of their roofs is worthy of our 

 attention, a layer of cana brava (our white roseau) on 

 the rafters, (which may be plastered and whitewashed Or 

 not) then 8 or lo inches of tapia or mortar, and finally 

 the red tiles. 



Porlamar is probably twice the size of St. Joseph, 

 comprising more business houses, and there is plenty 

 of bustle with the country people coming and going. 

 Two well equipped Pharmacies are conspicuous, and 

 one notes the absence of hams, jams, pickles and 



