SPAIN. 523 



tia. They have sometimes appeared in the air in such numbers as to 

 darken the sky ; the clear atmosphere of Spain has become gloomy, 

 and the finest summer day in Estremadura been rendered more dis- 

 mal than the winter of Holland. Their sense of smelling is so deli- 

 cate, that they can discover a cornfield or a garden at a consider- 

 able distance ; which they will ravage almost in an instant. Mr. 

 Dillon is of an opinion, that the country people, by timely attention 

 and observation, might destroy the eggs of these formidable insects, 

 and thereby totally extirpate them. 



Natural curiosities.. ..Among the natural curiosities, the medi- 

 cinal springs, ana some lakes where extraordinary noises are heard, 

 form a principal part. The river Guadiana, like the Mole in England, 

 runs under ground, and then rises again. It disappears near Alca- 

 zar de San Juan, in the country of La Mancha, and, running under 

 ground nearly eight leagues, emerges again at some lakes called the 

 Eyes of the Guadiana. The royal cabinet of natural history, at Mad- 

 rid, was opened to the public, by his majesty's orders, in 1775. Eve- 

 ry thing in this collection is ranged with neatness and elegance, and 

 the apartments are opened twice a week for the public, besides being 

 shown privately to strangers of rank. Tne mineral part of the cabi- 

 net, containing precious stones, marbles, ores, Sec. is very perfect; but 

 the collection of birds and beasts at present is not large, though it 

 may be expected to improve rapidly, if care be taken to obtain the 

 productions of the Spanish American colonies. Here is also a curious 

 collection of vases, basins, ewers, cups, plates, and ornamental pieces, 

 of the finest agates, amethysts, rock crystals, &c. mounted in gold 

 and enamel, set with cameos, entaglios, 8cc. in elegant taste, and of 

 very fine workmanship, said to have been brought from France by 

 Philip V. The cabinet also contains specimens of Mexican and Pe- 

 ruvian vases and utensils. 



In blowing up the rock of Gibraltar, many pieces of bones and 

 teeth have been found incorporated with the stone, some of which 

 have been brought to England, and deposited in the British Museum. 

 On the west side of the mountain is the cave called St. Michael's, 

 eleven hundred and ten feet above the horizon. Many pillars, of va- 

 rious sizes, some of them two feet in diameter, have been formed in 

 it by the droppings of water, which have petrified in falling. The 

 water perpetually drops from the roof, and forms an infinite number 

 of stalactites, of a whitish colour, composed of several coats or crusts, 

 and which, as well as the pillars, continually increase in bulk, and may 

 probably in time fill the whole cavern. From the summit of the rock, 

 in clear weather, not only the town of Gibraltar may be seen, but 

 the bay, the straits, the towns of St. Roque and Algesiras, and the 

 Alpuxara mountains; mount Abyla, on the African shore, with its 

 snowy top ; the cities of Ceuta, Tangier, and great part of the Bar- 

 bary coast. 



Population. ...Spain, formerly the most populous kingdom in Eu- 

 rope, is now but thinly inhabited. This is owing partly to the numer- 

 ous emigrations to America, and partly to the indolence of the na- 

 tives, who will not labour to raise food for their families. Another 

 cause may be assigned, and that is, the vast numbers of ecclesiastics, 

 who lead a life of celibacy. Some writers have assigned several other 

 causes, such as the wars with the Moors, and the final expulsion of 

 that people The present inhabitants" of this kingdom have been com- 

 puted, by some authors, at 13 millions, and by others at 11. Feyjoo, a 



