258 



JOURNEY FROM CARAVELLAS 



blossom ; among which was a fine epidendrum with scarlet umbels. 

 This kind grows on all the cliffs on the sea-coast. 



From this elevated plain the view of the retiring coast and the 

 expansive ocean is sublime, and calculated to dispose the mind of 

 the solitary traveller to serious contemplation. The windings of 

 the coast are traced to the indistinct blue horizon ; the steep red cliffs 

 on the sea-shore alternate with gloomy valleys, which as well as the 

 eminence are covered with dark blackish-green forests : the high 

 waves of the raging ocean roll on with deep and hollow sound ; in the 

 obscure distance, the eye perceives its white foam dashing over the 

 reefs of rocks, and the thundering roar of the eternally beating surf, 

 interrupted by no voice of a living being, resounds majestically 

 through the wide desolate wilds. Profound and awful is the imprigs- 

 sion which this sublime scene excites, when we reflect on its duration 

 and uniformity, through all the changes of time. 



We again reached the sea, and towards noon came to a place, 

 where the waves, dashing at high water against the rocks, entirely 

 blocked up the way. It was absolutely impossible to climb over the 

 heights with loaded mules ; we therefore relieved the animals from 

 their burdens, and waited with patience. In the vicinity of a little 

 stream of clear water a fire was made ; blankets and ox-hides pro- 

 tected us in some degree from the cool piercing sea-air, and our 

 frugal dinner was placed in a kettle over the fire. Dark forests en- 

 tirely surrounded the little meadow on which our beasts were grazing : 

 the nectarinea jiaveola, (the black and yellow creeper, certhiajlaveola. 

 Linn.) and the sylvia trichas, crept and twittered among the bushes. 

 The caracara (falco crotophagus) immediately shewed itself, and 

 settled on the backs of our cattle, in order to pick off the insects. 

 The mules seem to be fond of the visits of this singular bird ; for they 

 stand still when it appears and walks about on their backs. Azara 

 mentions it among the birds of Paraguay by the name of cliimachima. 



