183 



ous properties. We shall often have occasion 

 to remark the coincidence of these phenomena, 

 when we come to describe the culture of the 

 chocolate tree*, and the banks of the Oroonoko, 

 where in some parts the natives themselves are 

 seasoned to the climate with difficulty. In the 

 valley of Cariaco, the insalubrity of the air does 

 not depend solely on the general causes we 

 have just pointed out : the peculiar influence of 

 local circumstances is also felt. It will not be 

 uninteresting to examine the nature of this 

 ground, which separates the Gulf of Cariaco 

 from that of Paria. 



The chain of calcareous mountains of the 

 Brigantine and the Cocollar ^ sends off a con- 

 siderable branch to the north, which joins the 

 primitive mountains of the coast. This branch 

 bears the name of Sierra de Meapira ; but to- 

 ward the town of Cariaco it is called Cerro 

 grande de Cariaco. It's mean height did not 

 appear to me more than 150 or 200 toises. It 

 was composed, where I could examine it, of the 

 calcareous breccia of the seacoast. Marly and 

 calcareous beds alternate with other beds con- 

 taining grains of quartz. It is a very striking 

 phenomenon for those who study the relievo of 

 a country, to see a transverse ridge connect at 



* Theobroma cacao. 



t Nearly 0° 42' east from the meridian of Humana. 



