184 



right angles two parallel ridges, of which one, 

 the more southern, is composed of secondary 

 rocks, and the other, the more northern, of 

 primitive rocks. The latter, which we have 

 already described in our excursion to the pe- 

 ninsula of Araya*, presents, nearly as far as 

 the meridian of Carupano, only mica-slate ; but 

 to the east of this point, where it communicates 

 by a transverse ridge (the Sierra de Meapira) 

 with the limestone range, it contains lamellar 

 gypsum -f~, compact limestone, and other rocks 

 of secondary formation. It might be supposed, 

 that it is the southern ridge that has given these 

 rocks to the northern. 



When standing on the summit of the Cerro 

 del Meapira, we see the mountain currents run 

 on one side to the Gulf of Paria, and on the 

 other to the Gulf of Cariaco. To the east and 

 west of the ridge there are low and marshy 

 grounds, which spread out without interruption ; 

 and if it be admitted, that both gulfs owe their 

 origin to the sinking down of the earth, and 

 rents caused by earthquakes, we must suppose, 

 that the Cerro de Meapira has resisted the con- 

 vulsive movements of the globe, and hindered 

 the waters of [the Gulf of Paria from uniting 

 with those of the Gulf of Cariaco. Without 



* See vol. ii, p. 262. 



f Near Guira and Carupano. 



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