Ch.III. south AMERICA. 3!^ 



rhem to fpare no expence for keeping the forts in a 

 condition to affert their fovereign right againll any in- 

 truders. 



The principal fort ftands on a high fteep rock 

 waflied .by the fea, at the foot of which is a ca- 

 vern, where vaft quantities of water are continually 

 pouring in without any fenfible outlet. In this place 

 are heard at fhort intervals, very dreadful eru6ta- 

 tions of the wind, which being comprelTed ftruggles 

 for a vent againft the torrent of the water, and by 

 filling the whole mouth of the cave in its afcent, 

 leaves a large vacuity after its difcharge, which is 

 done with a noife refembling that of a volcano : 

 but neither on the oppofite fide of the ifland, nor 

 throughout its whole circuit, is there any place or 

 mark which affords the leafi: room for conje6ture, with 

 regard to the other mouth of this cavern ; fo that 

 it is fuppofed to be at a great diftance from it in the 

 fea. 



The barrennefs of the ifland does not proceed 

 from any defe8; in its foil, which produces every Ipe- 

 cies of grain, and fruits common in hot climates, aj? 

 experience has fufficiently demonftrated ; but from the 

 want of moifture : for befides two or three years 

 often pafs without any rain, there is not the leaft 

 drop of water to be found throughout the ifland ex- 

 cept in fome brooks ; and by reafon of this fcarcity 

 the plants wither and die away in their growth. The 

 mofl fruitful parts of the ifland unlefs when foftened 

 by moifture from the clouds, becomes as arid and bar- 

 ren as rocks. At the time we were there it was two 

 years fince they had any rain ; but on the nineteenth 

 of May came on violent fliowers, which continued 

 the whole time we remained near the ifland. The 

 inhabitants ufe the water which they fave in pits re- 

 fembling ciflerns, but this as well as the waters of the 

 brooks on its beginning to rain, grow thick and 

 Y 2 brackifli. 



