EXCURSION TO MONTSERRAT. 273 



ground rise the mountains in the rear of 

 Ibague, whose summits, perpetually cover- 

 ed with snow, were distinctly seen : behind 

 us was one expanse of mountainous country, 

 which I am puzzled to describe, from the 

 enormous abysses and great irregularities 

 it presented. The plain beneath our feet 

 appeared well stocked with cattle grazing; 

 and I figured to myself, how much valuable 

 ground is to be obtained with but little 

 trouble, by draining the waters off the 

 whole of its surface, as the river Bogotd runs 

 through the plain, and would much faci- 

 litate the undertaking ; though this measure 

 would spoil the view from this spot. 



Here the idea is strongly forced on the 

 mind, that the whole of this vast plain has 

 been an inland lake, which has gradually 

 decreased by evaporation and subterra- 

 neous drainings, and yielded its banks to 

 the cultivation of man; of late years the 



VOL. II. ' T 



