448 



north-east ; and their dip is usually toward the 

 north-west. Hence it follows, that the direc- 

 tion of the primitive strata is independent of 

 that of the whole chain ; and, what is extremely 

 remarkable, in following this chain # from Por- 

 to Cabello as far as Maniquarez and Maca- 

 nao, in the island of Margaretta, we find, from 

 west to east, first granite ; then gneiss, mica- 

 slate, and primitive schistus ; and finally com- 

 pact limestone, gypsum, and agglomerates con- 

 taining seashells. 



It is to be regretted, that the town of Ca- 

 raccas was not built farther to the east, below 

 the entrance of the Anauco into the Guayra ; 

 on that spot near Chacao, where the valley 

 widens into an extensive plain, which seems 

 to have been levelled by the abode of the wa- 

 ters. Diego de Losada, when he founded -f- the 

 town, followed no doubt the traces of the first 

 establishment made by Faxardo. The Span- 

 iards at that time, attracted by the reputation 

 of the two gold mines of Los Teques and Ba- 

 ruta, were not yet masters of the whole val- 



* I have spoken in the preceding chapter, p. 376, of the 

 interruption in the chain of the coast to the east of Cape 

 Codera. 



f The foundation of Santiago de Leon de Caraccas dates 

 from 1567, and posterior to that of Cumana, Coro, Nueva 

 Barcelona, and Caravalleda, or El Collado. Fray Pedr 0 

 Simon, Not. 7, cap. iii, p. 575. Oviedo y Banos, \). 262. 



