PITCH LAKE IN TRINIDAD. 207 



think, to be highly gratifying to those who embrace the Huttonian 

 Huttonian theory of the Earth, for they might behold the the0T ?' 

 numerous branches of one of the largest rivers of the world 

 (the Orinoco) bringing down so amazing a quantity of earthy 

 particles as to discolour the sea in a most remarkable man- 

 ner for many leagues distant*; they might see these earthy 

 particles deposited by the influence of powerful currents on 

 the shores of the gulf of Paria, and particularly on the 

 western side of the island of Trinidad; they might there rind 

 vast collections of bituminous substances, beds of porcelain 

 jasper, and such other bodies, as may readily be supposed to 

 arise from the modified action of heat on such vegetable and 

 earthy materials as the waters are known actually to deposit. 

 The)' would further perceive no very vague traces of subter- 

 ranean fire, by which these changes may have been effected, 

 and the whole tract elevated above the ordinary level of the 

 general loose soil of the country, as for instance, hot springs, 

 the vortices above mentioned, the frequent occurrence of 

 earthquakes, and two semivoleanic mounds at Point Icaque, 

 which, though not very near, throw light on the general cha- 

 racter of the country. Without pledging myself to any par- 



* No scene can be more magnificent tham that presented on a near 

 approach to the north-western coast of Trinidad. The sea is not only scene, 

 changed from a light green to a deep brown colour, but has in an extra- 

 ordinary degree, that rippling, confused, and whirling motion, which 

 arises from the Tiolcnce of contending currents, and which prevail here 

 in so remarkable a manner, particularly at those seasons when the Ori- 

 noco is swollen by periodical rains, that vessels are not unfrequeutly 

 several days or weeks in stemming them, or perhaps are irresistibly 

 borne before them far out of their destined track. The dark verdure 

 of lofty mountains, covered with impenetrable woods to the very sum- 

 mits, whence, in the most humid of climates, torrents impetuously rush 

 through deep ravines to the sea; three narrow passages into the gulf 

 of Paria, between rugged mountains of brown micaceous schist, on the 

 cavernous sides of which the eddying surge dashes with fury, and where 

 a vessel must necessarily be for some time embayed, with a depth of 

 water scarcely to be fathomed by the lead, present altogether a scene 

 which may well be conceived to have impressed the mind of the navi- 

 gator who first beheld it with considerable surprise and awe. Colum- 

 bus made this land in his third voyage, and gave it the name of tl'* 1 Inferences of 

 Bocas del Drago. From the wonderful discoloration and turbidity of Columbus, 

 the water, he sagaciously concluded, that a very large river was near, | 



and consequently a great continent. .-% 



ticular wM 



