124 



humboldt's cuba. 



CHAPTER II. 



PHYSICAL ASPECT. 



Figure of the island but lately known — Area according to Lindeneau 

 and Ferrer — According to Bauza — According to " Cuadro Esta- 

 distico" — Comparative area — Length and width — Importance of 

 Batabano — Comparative territorial power — Geological character 

 — Mountains — Face of the country— Elevation — Noted hills- 

 Eastern portion — Gold-washing — Formation of western and cen- 

 tral portion — Giiines — Soil — Hills of San Juan — Caverns — Modern 

 formation — Shore at Havana — Roaring banks explained — Relative 

 age of strata — Fresh water on the cays — Origin — Vicinity of 

 Havana — Guanabacoa — Serpentine — Petroleum — Botany of 

 Guanabacoa — Mineral springs — Reflections on geology — Earth- 

 quakes — Fertile lands — Beauty of vegetation — Soils, how distin- 

 guished — Rivers — Springs— Lands near Havana. [Note. — Imper- 

 fect state of geological knowledge in Cuba — Known metal and 

 mineral productions — Coal analyzed — Celebrated mineral springs 

 — Analysis of tobacco lands in the Vuelta de Abajo.] 



As the shores of the island of Cuba are covered 

 with cays and reefs through more than two-thirds 

 of their extent, and the navigable channels lie out- 

 side of these obstructions, the true figure of the 

 island was for a long time unknown. Its width, 



