VEGETATION AND MINERALS. 15] 
ripe. They amused themselves at the expense of 
the deserters, among whom was a young Capuchin 
monk, a professor of mathematics, who had promised 
to fire off rockets from the top of the mountain, to 
announce to the inhabitants of Caraccas the success 
of the expedition. 
The eastern peak being the most elevated, they 
directed their course to it. The depression between 
the two summits has given rise to the name Svl/a, 
which signifies a saddle. From this hollow a ravine 
descends towards the valley of Caraccas. This nar- 
row opening originates near the western dome, and 
the eastern summit is accessible only by going first 
to the westward of it, straight over the promontory 
of the Puerta. 
From the foot of the cascade of Chacaito to an 
elevation of 6395 feet they found only .savannahs 
or pastures, among which were observed two small 
liliaceous plants with yellow flowers and some bram- 
bles. Mixed with the latter they expected to find a 
wild rose, but were disappointed ; nor did they sub- 
sequently meet with a single species of that genus in 
any part of South America. 
Sometimes lost in the mist, they made cee way 
with difficulty, and there being no path, they were 
obliged to use their hands in climbing the steep and 
slippery ascent. A vein of porcelain-clay, the re- 
mains of decomposed felspar, attracted their atten- 
tion. Whenever the clouds surrounded them the 
thermometer fell to 53-6° ; but when the sky was 
clear it rose to 69-8°. At the height of 6011 feet 
they saw in a ravine a wood of palms, which form- 
ed a striking contrast with the willows scattered at 
the bottom of the valley. 
