4 



going to relate will serve to elucidate the theory 



of volcanic reactions, or the influence of a system 

 of volcanoes on a vast space of circumjacent 

 country. 



At the time that Mr. Bonpland and myself in- 

 habited the provinces of New Andalusia, Nueva- 

 Barcelona, and Caraccas, a general opinion pre- 

 vailed, that the easternmost parts of these coasts 

 were the most exposed to the destructive effects 

 of earthquakes. The inhabitants of Cumana 

 dreaded the valley of Caraccas, on account of 

 its damp and variable climate, and its gloomy 

 and foggy sky; while the inhabitants of that 

 temperate valley considered Cumana as a town, 

 where only a burning air was breathed, and 

 where the soil is periodically agitated by violent 

 commotions. Forgetful of the overthrow of Rio- 

 bamba, and other very elevated towns ; igno- 

 rant that the peninsula of Araya, composed of 

 mica-slate, has partaken of the commotions of 

 the calcareous coast of Cumana ; well-informed 

 persons thought they perceived motives of secu- 

 rity in the structure of the primitive rocks of 

 Caraccas, as well as in the elevated situation of 

 this valley. Religious ceremonies celebrated at 

 La Guayra, and even in the capital, in the middle 

 of the night*, recalled no doubt to their memory, 



* For instance, the nocturnal procession of the 21st of 

 October, instituted in commemoration of the great earth- 



