256 



VOYAGE TO CUBA. 



greatly influenced the present condition of these 

 countries. Among other instances may be men- 

 tioned the almost total exclusion of African slaves 

 from the latter colonies, and the comfortable con- 

 dition of the natives of American race, who live by 

 agriculture, and are .governed by European laws. 



But with respect to the political constitution and 

 relations of the provinces visited by the travellers, 

 it is not expedient here to enter into the details 

 which they have given, more especially as those 

 colonies have lately undergone revolutions that have 

 converted them into independent states, the history 

 of which would afford materials for many volumes. 

 The very interesting sketch of the physical con- 

 stitution of South America presented by Humboldt 

 must also be passed over, because, in the condensed 

 form to which it would necessarily be reduced, it 

 could not afford an adequate idea of the subject. We 

 must therefore, with our travellers, take leave of 

 Terra Firma, and accompany them on their passage 

 to Havana. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Passage to Havana, and Residence in Cuba. 



Passage from New-Barcelona to Havana— Description of the latter— Ex- 

 tent of Cuba— Geological Constitution— Vegetation— Climate— Popula- 

 tion— Agriculture — Exports— Preparations for joining Captain Baudin's 

 Expedition— Journey to Batabano, and Voyage to Trinidad de Cuba. 



Humboldt and his companion sailed from the Road 

 of New-Barcelona on the 24th November at nine in 

 the evening, and next day at noon reached the island 

 of Tortuga, remarkable for its lowness and want of 

 vegetation. On the 26th there was a dead calm, 

 and about nine in the morning a fine halo formed 



