96 



vast extent, and highly picturesque. From the 

 summit to the ocean we perceived chains of 

 mountains extended in parallel lines from eas* 

 to west, and bounding longitudinal valleys. 

 These valleys are intersected at right angles by 

 an infinite number of small ravines, scooped out 

 by the torrents ; the result of which is, that the 

 lateral ranges are transformed into so many 

 rows of paps, some round, and others pyramidal. 

 The ground in general is a gentle slope, as far 

 as the Impossible ; farther on, the precipices be- 

 come bold, and continue so to the shore of the 

 gulf of Cariaco. The form of this mass of 

 mountains reminded us of the chain of the Jura 5 

 and the only plain, that presents itself, is the 

 valley of Cumanacoa. We seemed to see the 

 bottom of a funnel, in which we distinguished, 

 amidst tufts of scattered trees, the Indian vil- 

 lage of Aricagua. Toward the north, a narrow 

 slip of land, the peninsula of Araya, formed a 

 dark stripe on the sea, which, illumined by the 

 rays of the sun, reflected a strong light. Be- 

 yond the peninsula the horizon was bounded by 

 Cape Macanao, the black rocks of which rise 

 amid the waters like an immense bastion. 



The farm of Cocollar, situate at the foot of 

 the Turimiquiri, is in lat. 19° 9' 32"*. I found 



* From meridian altitudes of Deneb, Cygni which I took 

 in the nights of the 12th and 13th of September. Observ. 

 Astron., vol. i, p. 98. 



