278 



dwell on this characteristic trait, which we ob- 

 served every time that we travelled with In- 

 dians, and has given rise to very false ideas of 

 the physical constitutions of the different races 

 of men. The copper-colored native, more ac- 

 customed to the burning heat of the climate, 

 than the European traveller, complains more, 

 because he is stimulated by no interest. Money 

 is without attraction for him ; and if he permits 

 himself to be tempted by gain for a moment, he 

 repents of his resolution as soon as he is on the 

 road. The same Indian, who complains, when 

 in herbalizing we load him with a box filled 

 with plants, rows his canoe fourteen or fifteen 

 hours together, against the swiftest current, be- 

 cause he wishes to return to his family. In 

 order to form a true judgment of the muscular 

 force of the people, we should observe them in 

 circumstances, where their actions are determin- 

 ed by a will equally energetic. 



We examined the ruins of San Jago *, the 

 construction of which is remarkable for it's ex- 

 treme solidity. The walls of free-stone are five 

 feet thick : they have been blown up by mines ; 

 but we still found masses of seven or eight hun- 



* On the map accompanying Robertson's History of Ame- 

 rica we find the name of this castle confounded with that of 

 Nueva Cordoba. We have already observed, that this latter 

 denomination was formerly synonimous with Cumana. (Her- 

 rera, p. 14.) 



