118 



ARRIVAL AT LA GUAYRA. 



that neck of land, after being disruptured or swal- 

 lowed up by the sea along an extent of 121 miles, 

 reappears at Cape Codera, and runs westward in an 

 unbroken line. Towards the north the eape forms 

 an immense segment of a sphere, and at its loot 

 stretches a tract of low land, known to navigators 

 by the name of the Points of Tutumo and of San 

 Francisco. 



The passengers in the boat dreaded the rolling in 

 a rough sea so much, that they resolved to proceed 

 to Caraccas by land, and M. Bonpland, following 

 their example, procured a rich collection of plants. 

 Humboldt, however, continued the voyage, as it 

 seemed hazardous to lose sight of the instruments. 



Setting sail at the beginning of the night, they 

 doubled Cape Codera with difficulty, the wind being 

 unfavourable, and the surges short and high. On 

 the 21st of November, at sunrise, they were oppo- 

 site Curuao, to the west of the cape. The Indian 

 pilot was frightened at seeing an English frigate only 

 a mile distant ; but they escaped without attracting 

 notice. The mountains were everywhere precipi- 

 tous, and from 3200 to 4300 feet high, while along 

 the shore was a tract of low humid land, glowing 

 with verdure, and producing a great part of the fruits 

 found so abundantly in the neighbouring markets. 

 The peaks of Niguatar and the Silla of Caraccas 

 form the loftiest summits of this chain. In the 

 fields and valleys the sugar-cane and maize are cul- 

 tivated. To the west of Caravalleda the declivities 

 along-shore are again very steep. After passing this 

 place they discovered the village of Macuto, the 

 black rocks of La Guayra covered with batteries, 

 and in the distance the long promontory of Cabo 

 Blanco, with conical summits of dazzling white- 

 ness. 



Humboldt landed at Guayra, and in the evening 

 arrived at Caraccas, four days sooner than his fel- 

 low-travellers, who had suffered greatly from the 



