HAVANNAH. 299 
sented itself. The full moon was very high. On its 
side, forty-five minutes before its passage over the 
meridian, a great arc suddenly appeared, having the 
prismatic colours, but ofa gloomy aspect. It seemed 
higher than the moon, had a breadth of nearly two 
degrees, and remained stationary for several mi- 
nutes ; after which it gradually descended, and sank 
below the horizon. The sailors were filled with as- 
tonishment at this moving arch, which they sup- 
posed to announce wind. Next night M. Bonpland 
and several passengers saw, at the distance of a 
guarter of a mile, a small flame, which ran on the 
surface of the sea towards the south-west, and illu- 
minated the atmosphere. On the 4th and 6th they 
encountered rough weather, with heavy rain ac- 
companied by thunder, and were in considerable 
danger on the bank of Vibora. At length, on the 
19th, they anchored in the port of Havannah, after 
a boisterous passage of twenty-five days. 
Cuba is the largest of the West India Islands, and 
on account of its great fertility, its naval establish- 
ments, the nature of its population,—of which three- 
fifths are composed of free men,—and its geographical 
position, is of great political importance. Of all the 
Spanish colonies it is that which has most prospered ; 
insomuch, that not only has its revenue sufficed for 
its own wants, but during the struggle between the 
_ mother-country and her continental provinces, it 
furnished considerable sums to the former. 
The appearance which Havannah presents at the 
entrance of the port is exceedingly beautiful and 
picturesque. The opening is only about 426 yards 
wide, defended by fortifications; after which a 
basin, upwards of two miles in its greatest dia- 
meter, and communicating with three creeks, ex- 
