254 CATARACTS OP THE ORINOCO. 



distances taken at Anai, and would only remark that their 

 calculation is important if it is desired to carry the com- 

 parison from the Lake of Amucu to Esmeralda, which I found 

 in long. 68 23' 19" W. from Paris (66 21' 19" Gr.) 



We see, then, the great Mar de la Parima, which was 

 so difficult to displace from our maps that, after my return 

 from America, it was still set down as having a length of 

 ] 60 English geographical miles, reduced by the result of 

 modern researches to the little Lake of Amucu, of two or three 

 miles circumference. The illusions cherished for nearly two 

 centuries (several hundred lives were lost in the last Spanish 

 expedition for the discovery of el Dorado, in 1775), have 

 thus finally terminated, leaving some results of geographical 

 knowledge as their fruit. In 1512, thousands of soldiers 

 perished in the expedition undertaken by Ponce de Leon 

 for the discovery of the "Fountain of Youth," sup- 

 posed to exist in one of the Bahama Islands called Bimini, 

 and which is not to be found on our maps. This Ex- 

 pedition led to the conquest of Florida, and to the know- 

 ledge of the great current of the Gulf Stream, which 

 issues forth through the Bahama channel. The thirst for 

 treasures, and the desire of renovated youth, stimulated with 

 nearly equal force the passions and cupidity of the nations 

 of Europe. 



( 10 ) p. 216." The Piriyuao, one of the noblest of 

 palm trees." 



Compare Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kunth, Nova Genera 

 Plant, sequinoct. T. i. p. 315. 



