511 



mountains, that separates Yare and the savan- 

 nah of Oeumare from the valley of Caraccas, 

 bounds the horizon like a rampart running pa- 

 rallel to the equator. If this rampart had an 

 opening, a breach, as happens so often in the 

 high mountains of Saltzburg * and Switzerland, 

 the most stupendous scenery would thence un- 

 fold itself to our view. We should discover 

 through that breach the Llanos or vast steppes 

 of Calabozo ; and as these steppes would reach 

 the height of the eye of the spectator, two simi- 

 lar horizons of sea and land would be visible 

 from the same point. 



The rounded peak, or western dome of the 

 Silla, concealed from us the view of the town of 

 Caraccas ; but we distinguished the nearest 

 houses^ the villages of Chacao and Petare, the 

 coffee plantations, and the course of the Rio 

 Guayra, a slender streak of water reflecting a 

 silvery light. The narrow band of cultivated 

 ground formed a pleasing contrast with the 

 wild and gloomy aspect of the neighbouring 

 mountains. While we take in at one view the 

 vast landscape, we feel little regret, that the 

 solitudes of the New World are not embellished 

 with the images of past times. Wherever, 

 under the torrid zone, the Earth, studded with 

 mountains and overspread with plants, has pre- 



* For example, at the Pass Lueg, 



