272 EXCURSION TO MONTSERRAT. 



happens ; and the river Bogota is seen pur- 

 suing its course until it is lost in the fall of 

 the Tequendama. The raised road is nearly 

 a league in length, and ascends gradually 

 from the beginning to the middle ; and then 

 the descent is as gentle to its termina- 

 tion amidst the high ridges of mountains, 

 westward of the plain of Bogota, which 

 encompass and border the watery expanse. 

 On the right is a small ridge, or as it 

 may be termed island, in the plain, cover- 

 ed in many parts with wood, which tends 

 to relieve the eye, and diversify the same- 

 ness of the prospect. Far in the distance 

 is seen Zipaquira, where are the famous salt 

 mines, supplying the greatest part of New 

 Grenada; likewise a ridge of mountains 

 rich in coal and iron ; and a little in their 

 rear, those of Muso, abounding in emeralds. 

 To the left you have an occasional peep at 

 distant plains, winding amongst the various 

 ridges of the Andes ; and far in the back- 



