505 



this chain, which is not 300 toises high, separates 

 the tributary streams of the Oroonoko and those 

 of the Rio Cuyuni, between the town of Upata, 

 Cupapui, and Santa Marta *. On the west of 

 the meridian of the rapids of Camiseta (long. 

 67° 10'), the high mountains in the basin of the 

 Rio Caura, only commence at 7° 20' of latitude, 

 on the south of the mission of San Luis Guaragua- 

 raico, where they produce the rapids of Mura. 

 This chain stretches towards the west by the 

 sources of the Rio Cuchivero, the Cerros del 

 Mato -f*, the Cerbatana and Maniapure, as far as 

 Tepupano, a groupe of granitic rocks of strange 

 forms, that surround the Encaramada. The 

 culminant points of this chain (lat. 7° 10' — 

 7° 28') are placed, according to the information 

 I gathered from the Indians, near the sources of 

 Cano de la Tortuga. The chain of the Encara- 

 mada J, displays some traces of gold. It is also 

 celebrated in the mythology of the Tama- 

 naques ; for the painted rocks it contains are 

 associated with ancient geogonic traditions. The 

 Oroonoko changes its direction at the con- 

 fluence of the Apure, breaking a part of the 

 chain of the Encaramada ; the monticules and 



* Vol. v, p. 760. 



f PI. 15, 16, and 20 of the Geographical Atlas, and the 

 Personal Narrative, Vol. v, p. 673. 



| Vol. iv, p. 460, 470 3 Vol. v, p. 827, 



