96 



attention of travellers on the phenomena of na- 

 ture ; though we knew that these stories were 

 in general less indebted for their currency to the 

 superstition of the Indians, than to that of the 

 Whites, the mestizoes, and the African slaves ; 

 and that the reveries of a few individuals, who 

 reason on the progressive changes of the surface 

 of the Globe, gradually assume the character of 

 historical traditions. Without giving any credit 

 to the existence of an extent of country in a 

 former state of ignition, we were conducted by 

 the Indians to the Volcancitos de Turbaco ; and 

 this excursion made us acquainted with pheno- 

 mena, much more important than any we could 

 have expected. 



The Volcancitos are situate six thousand 

 metres to the east of the village of Turbaco, in a 

 thick forest, abounding with balsam of Tolu 

 trees, the gustavia with flowers resembling those 

 of the nymphea, and the cavanillesia mocundo, 

 the membranous and transparent fruits of which 

 resemble lanterns suspended at the extremity of 

 the branches. The ground rises gradually forty or 

 fifty metres above the village of Turbaco ; but 

 as it is every where covered with vegetation, it 

 is not possible to distinguish the nature of the 

 rocks that repose on the shelly calcareous soil. 

 The 41st plate represents the southern part of 

 the plain, in which are found the Volcancitos. 



