NEVADA OF SANTA MARTHA. 71 



presents a variety of beautiful views. As 

 we proceeded towards the Magdalena, a low 

 strip of land lay on our right, enriched in 

 places with clumps of trees, between which 

 we could at intervals perceive the sea break- 

 ing on the beach and apparently threaten- 

 ing to rush in upon the tranquil lagoon 

 whose smooth glassy surface formed a 

 strong contrast to the restless waves of the 

 ocean. The low grounds on the left were 

 thickly covered to the very margin of the 

 lake with woods of the richest foliage, which 

 to us in the canoe appeared to spring from 

 the bosom of the lagoon itself. In the back- 

 ground stupendous mountains are piled one 

 above another, until they terminate in the 

 Nevada of Santa Martha, which rises to the 

 immense height of sixteen thousand four 

 hundred and nineteen feet, being partly lost 

 in the clouds, from which their peaks emerg- 

 ing covered with perpetual snow, form 

 a striking contrast to the rich and dark 



