635 



hydrostatic pressure exerted in subterraneous 

 channels, that communicate v/ith the lofty 

 mountains of Trinidad. Small vessels some- 

 times take in water there; and, what is well 

 worthy of observation, large manatees remain 

 habitually in those spots. I have already called 

 the attention of naturalists to the crocodiles 

 that advance from the mouth of rivers far into 

 the sea*. Analogous circumstances may have 

 caused, in the ancient catastrophes of our planet, 

 that singular mixture of pelagian and fluviatile 

 bones and petrifactions, which is observed in 

 some rocks of recent formation. 



Our stay at Carictiana was very useful in 

 recruiting us from our fatigues. Mr. Bonpland 

 bore with him the germe of a cruel malady ; 

 he stood in need of repose ; but, as the delta of 

 the tributary streams-^- included between the 

 Horeda and Paruasi is covered with a rich 

 vegetation, he made long herbalizations, and 

 Was wet through several times in a day. We 

 found fortunately in the house of the missionary 

 the most attentive care ; bread was procured 

 for us of the flour of maize, and even milk. The 

 cows yield milk plentifully in the lower regions 

 of the torrid zone, wherever good pasturage is 

 found. I insist on this fact, because local circum 



* See vol. iii, chap. 11, j>. 360. 

 f See above, chap. 23, p. 465, 466. 



