EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



feafons in Guiana, yet it is neceflary to remark that thefe 

 changes are not uniformly produced at the fame time, but, 

 hke the European feafons, occalionally vary. The changes 

 are always accompanied by tremendous claps of thunder, 

 and very vivid fiafhes of lightning, which continue during 

 feveral weeks, and are frequently fatal both to the cattle 

 and inhabitants of this country. 



Some parts of Guiana prefent a barren and moun- 

 tainous afpeil, but in general the foil is abundantly fruit- 

 fuly the earth during the whole of the year adorned 

 with continual verdure, the trees loaded at the fame time 

 with bloflbms and ripe fruit, and the whole prefenting 

 to the view the delightful union of fpring and fummer. 

 This general appearance of fertility, particularly in Suri- 

 nam, may be afcribed not ,only to the rains and warmth 

 in this climate, but alfo to its low and marfhy fituation, 

 which prevents the intenfe heats from deftroying ve- 

 getation, and from the extreme richnefs the foil, par- 

 ticularly in thofe parts which are cultivated by European 

 induftry. It muft indeed be confelTed, that fuch litua- 

 tions are far from being favourable to health ; but the 

 fpirit of gain is a very powerful principle, and the cer- 

 tainty of prefent profit will generally be confidered 

 as a weighty counterpoife to thofe evils which, if ever 

 encountered, appear at a conliderable difcance ; and as 

 they are fometim.es efcaped, may be always efteeraed 

 as uncertain. 



The uncultivated parts of Guiana are covered v/ith 

 Vol. I. F immenfe 



