470 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Abode at Caraccas. — Mountains that surround 

 the Town.— Excursion to the summit of the 

 Silla. — Indications of Mines. 



I remained two months at Caraccas, where 

 Mr. Bonpland and I lived in a large and nearly 

 solitary house, in the highest part of the town. 

 From a gallery we could survey at once the 

 summit of the Silla, the serrated ridge of the 

 Gallipano, and the charming valley of the 

 Guayra, the rich cultivation of which formed a 

 pleasing contrast with the gloomy curtain of the 

 surrounding mountains. It was the season of 

 drought, and in order to improve the pasturage, 

 the savannahs, and the turf that covers the 

 steepest rocks, were set on fire. These vast 

 conflagrations, viewed from a distance, produce 

 the most singular effects of light. Wherever 

 the savannahs, following the undulating slope of 

 the rocks, have filled up the furrows hollowed 

 out by the waters, the inflamed land appears in 

 a dark night like currents of lava suspended 

 over the valley. Their vivid but steady light 

 assumes a reddish tint, when the wind, descend- 



