106 



say, if it be not crossed or hastened by the im- 

 prudence of the traveller. It is on the frightful 

 roads of the Andes, during' journeys of six or 

 seven months across mountains furrowed by 

 torrents, that the intelligence of horses and 

 beasts of burden displays itself in an astonish- 

 ing manner. Thus the mountaineers are heard 

 to say, " I will not give you the mule whose 

 step is the easiest, but him who reasons best 

 la mas rational. This popular expression, dic- 

 tated by long experience, combats the system of 

 animated machines, better perhaps than all the 

 arguments of speculative philosophy. 



When we had reached the highest point of 

 the ridge or cuchilla of Guanaguana, an inter- 

 esting spectacle presented itself to our eyes. 

 We embraced in one view the vast savannahs 

 or meadows of Maturin and Rio Tigre* ; the 

 peak of the Tumiriquirr-^ and an infinite num- 

 ber of parallel ridges, which, seen at a distance, 

 looked like the waves of the sea. Toward the 

 north-east opens the valley, that contains the 

 convent of Caripe. The aspect of this valley is 

 peculiarly attractive, as, shaded by forests, it 

 forms a strong contrast with the nudity of the 

 neighbouring mountains, which are bare of 



* These natural meadows are part of the llanos or im- 

 mense steppes bordered by the Oroonoko. 

 f El Cucurucho. 



