LAKE OF GUATAVITA. 205 



twenty thousand dollars, and there are still 

 thirty-three feet of water left." 



An old Spaniard, sounding in the centre, 

 drew up with the lead a small branch of a 

 tree, in the mud surrounding which was 

 found a golden image, worth about one 

 hundred dollars : so there is every reason 

 for hope. 



Having paddled round the shores of the 

 Lagoon, we landed, and commenced exa- 

 mining the works which were now going 

 on, as a kind of tunnel. We found the 

 strata to be chiefly slate and grey sand- 

 stone ; but saw no volcanic appearances. I 

 at once perceived why the sides had fallen 

 in. The slate strata lay in flakes, at about 

 twenty degrees from the perpendicular, 

 against the edges of which the water struck, 

 and gradually carrying away piece by piece, 

 undermined the sides, which consequently 



