14 



CARACCAS. 



the stupendous heights of the Silla. It is 

 remarkable that this fog is peculiar to the 

 La Guayra side, and seldom crosses the 

 Silla, or makes its appearance on the side 

 towards Caraccas, which city is three 

 thousand feet above the level of the sea. 

 It is probable that the heat of the sun, 

 strengthened by reflection from the moun- 

 tains, acts powerfully on the humid air of 

 the lower level, which therefore rises into 

 the atmosphere until, being condensed, it 

 falls in the shape of rain or mist. 



Winding round the mountain for a short 

 distance from this pass, I reached a point 

 which afforded a beautiful bird's-eye view 

 of the city and valley of Caraccas. The 

 latter is narrow, but of considerable length, 

 and displays a verdant carpet of the most 

 brilliant vegetation, threaded by a winding 

 silver stream, and animated by herds of 

 cattle scattered over the rich pastures. A 



