HONDA. 177 



bridge, and ascended the hill, from which 

 there is a fine view of the surrounding 

 country. Looking in the direction of the 

 town, we had the Magdalena on our 

 right, emerging from behind a lofty moun- 

 tain, and meandering between us and the 

 ridges of the Cordilleras, to the foot of a 

 range of hills, whose summits presented 

 peculiarly angular and horizontal forms. 

 The Cordilleras, on the opposite side of 

 the river, rose in imposing grandeur ; moun- 

 tains above mountains, covered with forests, 

 amongst which a glimpse of the road to 

 Bogota was occasionally obtained. On our 

 left were the mountains of Mariquita, from 

 whose heights the torrent already men- 

 tioned was seen descending. The plain be- 

 neath our feet, through which the Magda- 

 lena winds, was studded with trees of the 

 richest verdure and most majestic forms. 

 The description given by a celebrated 

 French Si^avant, M. Bouguer, appears 



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