WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMEEICA. 117 



into one another that the eye cannot distinguish where 

 they begin, nor wliere 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 northward of them the foremost forms a circle, 

 as though it had 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. 



