PITCH LAKE IN TRINIDAD* £01 



on a nearer approach we found it to be in reality an exten- 

 sive plain of mineral pitcn, with frequent crevices and 

 chasms filled with water. The singularity of the scene was 

 altogether so great, that it was some time before ] could re- 

 cover from my surprise so as to investigate it minutely. 

 The surface of the lake is of the colour of ashes, and at this i 

 season was not polished or smooth so as to be slippery; the 

 hardness or consistence was such as to bear any Weight, 

 and it was not adhesive, though it partially received the 

 impression of the foot ; it bore us without any tremulous 

 motion whatever, and several head of cattle were browsing 

 on it in perfect security. In the dry season however the 

 surface is much more yielding, and must be in a state ap- 

 proaching to fluidity, as is shown by pieces of recent wood 

 and other substances being enveloped in it. Even large Branchesof 

 branches of trees, which were a foot above the level, had in f ree ? above lts 

 some way become enveloped in the bituminous matter. The loped with 

 interstices or chasms are very numerous, ramifying and pitch. 



joining in every direction, and in the wet season being filled c .' lasms ' n the 

 ' ° J 3 pitch 



with water, present the only obstacle to walking over the 



surface; these cavities are generally deep in proportion to 

 their width, some being only a few inches in depth, others 

 several feet, and many almost unfathomable: the water in 4iied with 

 them is good and uncontaminated by the pitch ; the people 8 ood water, 

 of the neighbourhood derive their supply from this source, and 

 refresh themselves by bathing in it : fish arecaught in it, and containing 

 particularly a very good species of mullet. The arrangement 

 of the chasms is very singular, the sides, which of course 

 are formed of the pitch, are invariably shelving from the 

 surface, so as nearly to meet at the bottom, but then they 

 bulge out towards each other with a considerable degree of 

 convexity. This may be supposed to arise from the tendency 

 in the pitch slowly to coalesce, whenever softened by the 

 intensity of the Sun's rays. These crevices are known oc- 

 casionally to close up entirely, and we saw many marks or 

 Seams from this cause. How these crevices originate it may 

 not be so easy to explain. One of our party suggested, 

 that the whole mass of pitch might be supported by the 

 water, which made its way through accidental rents, but in 

 the solid state it is of greater specific gravity than water, for 

 Vol. XXXII.- July, 1812. P several 



