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SALT-WORKS OF ARAYA. Sl 
receives only rain-water, crystallized and very pure 
muriate of soda forms, after great droughts, in masses 
of large size. The new salt-works of Araya have five 
very extensive reservoirs, with a depth of eight inches, 
and are supplied partly with sea-water and partly 
with rain. The evaporation is so rapid, that salt is 
collected in eighteen or twenty days after they are 
filled; and it is freer from earthy muriates and sul- 
phates than that of Europe, although manufactured 
with less care. E 
After examining these works, they departed at 
the decline of day, and proceeded toward an Indian 
eabin some miles distant. Night overtook them 
in a narrow path between a range of perpendicular 
rocks and the sea. Arriving at the foot of the old 
eastle of Araya, which stands on a bare and arid 
mountain, and is crowned with agave, columnar cac- 
tus, and prickly mimosas, they were desirous of stop- 
ping to admire the majestic spectacle, and observe the 
setting of the planet Venus; but their guide, who 
was parched with thirst, earnestly urged them to re- 
turn, and hoped to work on their fears by continu- 
ally warning them of jaguars and rattlesnakes. 
They at length yielded to his solicitations ; but, after 
proceeding three-quarters of an hour along a shore 
covered by the tide, they were joined by the negro 
that carried their provisions, who led them through 
a wood of nopals to the hut of an Indian, where they 
were received with cordial hospitality. The several 
classes of natives in this district live by catching fish, 
part of which they carry to Cumana. The wealth 
of the inhabitants consists chiefly of goats, which are 
of a very large size, and brownish-yellow colour. 
They are marked like the mules, and roam at large. 
E 
