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j1 I 



CHAPTER IX. 



Physical Constitution and Manners of the Chay- 

 mas. — Their Languages. — Filiation of the Na- 

 tions which inhabit New Andalusia. — Paria- 

 gotoes seen by Columbus. 



I was unwilling to mingle with the narrative 

 of our journey to the Missions of Caripe general 

 considerations on the different tribes of natives, 

 that inhabit New Andalusia ; on their man- 

 ners, their languages, and their common origin. 

 Having returned to the spot from which we set 

 out, I shall now bring into one point of view 

 these objects, which are so nearly connected 

 with the history of the human race. As we ad- 

 vance into the interior of the country, these 

 subjects will become more interesting than the 

 phenomena of the physical world. The north- 

 east part of equinoctial America, Terra Firma, 

 and the shore of the Oroonoko, resemble, with 

 respect to the multiplicity of the nations that 

 inhabit them, the defiles of Caucasus, the moun- 

 tains of Hindoo-kho, at the northern extre- 

 mity of Asia, beyond the Tungooses, and the 



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