I 



10 



by a singular similitude, under the influence of 

 an atmosphere continually loaded with vapours, 

 as in the north of Europe* on a soil moistened 

 by melting snows, the vegetation of the moun- 

 tains offers the same aspect, as characterises the 

 vegetation of marshes. 



Before we leave the plains of Cumana, and 

 the breccia, or calcareous sand-stone, which 

 constitutes the soil of the seaside, we will notice 

 the different strata, of which this very recent 

 formation is composed, such as we observed 

 it on the back of the hills that surround the 

 Castle of St. Antonio. This is so much the 

 more indispensable, as we shall soon acquire the 

 knowledge of other rocks, which may easily be 

 confounded with the puddingstone of the coast. 

 On advancing toward the interior of the conti- 

 nent, the geological view of those countries 

 will unroll itself gradually before our eyes. 



The breccia or calcareous sandstone, is a lo- 

 cal and partial formation, peculiar to the penin- 

 sula of Araya |, the coasts of Cum ana and Ca- 

 raccas. We again found it at Cabo Blanco, to 

 the west of the port of Guayra, where it cont ains, 

 beside broken shells and madrepores, fragments, 

 often angular, of quartz and gneiss. This cir- 



* Wahlenberg, de Vegetatione Helvetia}, et sunirai Sep- 

 temtrionis, p. xlvii and lix, 

 + See Vol. ii, p. 263. 



