PROVINCE OF GUIANNA. 



497 



The soil is sandy, and black at the surface; at the depth of two feet it is red, 

 and is favourable to the growth of coffee, cotton, Indian corn, indigo, mandioca, 

 and the cane. During the rainy season the vegetation is abundant for the sus- 

 tenance of oxen, horses, goats, sheep, and wild quadrupeds. In the three 

 months of most rigorous drought all these animals suffer from hunger, and 

 many die. 



There are numerous small rivers of soft water, which carry various sugar works. 

 The channel which separates it from the continent conducts to the port the 

 productions of that side. Notwithstanding the east wind refreshes the atmos- 

 phere every morning, the air is unwholesome, in consequence of the contiguous 

 morasses, which breed an immensity of various species of insects, such as 

 mosquitos, large toads, ants, and many others, that annoy the inhabitants. 



