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176 HOT SPRINGS OF MARIARA. 
with vegetation. In the hills toward the east of the 
Rincon is a ravine containing several small basins, 
the two uppermost of which are only eight inches 
in diameter, while the three lower are from two 
to three feet. Their depth varies from three to 
fifteen inches, and their temperature is from 133° 
to 138°. The hot water from these funnels forms a 
rill, which thirty feet lower has a temperature of 
only 118:4°. These springs are slightly impregnated 
with sulphuretted hydrogen gas, the fluid having 
a thin pellicle of sulphur; while a few plants in the 
vicinity are crusted with the same substance. To 
the south of this ravine, in the plain extending to the 
shores of the lake, is another fountain of the same 
kind, which issues from a crevice. The water, which 
is not so hot, collects in a basin fifteen or eighteen 
feet in diameter and three feet deep, in which the 
slaves of the neighbouring plantations wash at the 
end of the day. Here the travellers also bathed, 
and afterwards found in the surrounding woods a 
great variety of beautiful plants. 
While drying themselves in the sun, after coming 
out of the pool, a little mulatto approached them, 
bowing gravely, and making a long speech on the 
virtues of the water. Showing them his hut, he 
assured them they should find in it all the conve- 
niences of life; but his attentions ceased the mo- 
ment he heard they had come merely to satisfy their 
curiosity, and had no intention to try the efficacy 
of the baths. They are said to be used with success 
in rheumatic swellings, old ulcers, and the dreadful 
affections of the skin called bubas. 
On the 21st February, the travellers set out from 
the Hacienda de Cura for Guacara and New Va- 
5 
