17-2 



. 



dium and marchantia in places, where the heat 

 of the soil was far greater. Such is the effect of 

 an habitual stimulus on the organs of plants. 

 The waters of Mariara contain no aquatic insects. 

 Frogs are found in them, which, chased by ser- 

 pents, have leaped into the funnels, and there 

 perished. 



South of the ravine, in the plain that extends 

 toward the shore of the lake, another hydro- 

 sulphurous spring gushes out, less hot, and 

 more feebly impregnated with gas. The crevice, 

 whence this water issues, is six toises higher 

 than the funnel just described. The thermo- 

 meter did not rise in the crevice above 42°. The 

 water is collected in a basin surrounded by large 

 trees, nearly circular, from fifteen to eighteen 

 feet diameter, and three feet deep. The unhappy 

 slaves throw themselves into this bath at the 

 end of the day, when covered with dust, having 

 worked in the neighbouring fields of indigo and 

 sugar-canes. Though the water of this bano is 

 habitually from 12° to 15° hotter than the air, 

 the Blacks call it refreshing ; because in the 

 torrid zone this term is used for whatever re- 

 stores strength, calms the irritation of the nerves, 

 or causes a feeling of comfort. We ourselves 

 found the salutary effects of the bath. We hung 

 our hammocks from the trees that shade the 

 basin, and passed a whole day in this charming 

 spot, which abounds in plants. We found near 



