90 



from one hemisphere to the other, which, in 

 their organic functions, in the developement of 

 their leaves and flowers, still retain their rela- 

 tions to a distant climate ; and, faithful to their 

 habits, follow for a long time it's periodical 

 changes. In the province of Venezuela the trees 

 stripped of their foliage begin to renew their 

 leaves nearly a month before the rainy season. 

 It is probable, that at this period the electrical 

 equilibrium of the air is already disturbed, and 

 the atmosphere, although not yet clouded, be- 

 comes gradually more humid. The azure of the 

 sky is paler, and the elevated regions are loaded 

 with light vapours, uniformly diffused. This 

 season may be considered as the awakening of 

 nature ; it is a spring, which, according to the 

 received language of the Spanish colonies, pro- 

 claims the beginning of winter, and succeeds to 

 the heats of summer *. 



Indigo was formerly cultivated in the Quebra- 

 da Seca ; but as the soil covered with vegeta- 

 tion cannot there concentrate so much heat as 

 the plains and the bottom of the valley of the 

 Tuy receive and radiate, the cultivation of coffee 

 has been substituted in it's stead. As we ad- 



* That part of the year most abundant in rain is called 

 winter ; so that in Terra Firm a the season, which begins by 

 the winter solstice, is designated by the name of summer ; 

 and it is usual to hear, that it is tvinter on the mountains, at 

 the time when summer prevails in the neighbouring plains. 



