46 



The road from San Fernando to Cumana 

 passes amidst small plantations, through an 

 open and humid valley. We forded a number 

 of rivulets. In the shade the thermometer did 

 not keep above 30° : but we were exposed to 

 the direct rays of the sun, because the bamboos, 

 which skirted the road, afforded but small shel- 

 ter, and we suffered greatly from the heat. We 

 passed through the village of Arenas, inhabited 

 by Indians, who are of the same race as those of 

 San Fernando. But Arenas is no longer a Mis- 

 sion; and the natives, governed by a regular 

 priest*, are better clothed, and more civilized. 

 Their church is also known in the country on 

 account of some rude paintings. A narrow bor- 

 der encloses figures of armadilloes, caymans,* 

 jaguars, and other animals peculiar to the new 

 world. 



In this village lives a labourer, Francisco Lo- 

 zano, who presented a physiological phenome- 

 non, highly calculated to strike the imagination, 

 though it is very conformable to the known laws 

 of organized nature. This man has suckled a 



67 lines lower than at Cumana. Height above the level of 

 the sea, 215 -f- 93 = 308 toises. From the great square at 

 San Fernando, the mountain of the Impossible lies N. 

 74° W., and the town of Cumanacoa, S. 41° £. 



* The four villages of Arenas, Macarapana, Mariguitar, 

 and Aricagua, founded by Arragonese Capuchins, are called 

 Doctrinas de Encomienda. 



