187 



climate of Cariaco unhealthy. The natives 

 think, that the hollow is formed by the ingulfing 

 of the hot springs ; and, judging by the sound 

 heard under the feet of the horses, we must con- 

 clude, that the subterranean cavities are con- 

 tinued from west to east nearly as far as Casa- 

 nay, a length of three or four thousand toises. 

 A little river, the Rio Azul, runs through these 

 plains, which are rent into crevices by earth- 

 quakes, that have a particular centre of action, 

 and seldom extend themselves as far as Cuma- 

 na. The waters of the Rio Azul are cold and 

 limpid ; they arise on the western bank of the 

 mountain of Meapira ; and it is believed, that 

 they are augmented by infiltrations from the 

 lake Putacuao, which is situate on the other 

 side of the chain. The latter river and the 

 hydrosulphurous hotsprings fall into the Laguna 

 de Campoma together. This is a name given 

 to a great meer, which is divided in dry weather 

 into three basins situate to the north-west of the 

 town of Cariaco, near the extremity of the Gulf. 

 Fetid exhalations arise continually from the stag- 

 nant water of this meer. The smell of sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen is mingled with that of 

 putrid fishes, and rotting plants. 



Miasmata are formed in the valley of Caria- 

 co, as in the Campagna di Roma ; but the heat 

 of the climate of the tropics increases their de- 

 leterious energy. These miasmata are proba- 



