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VII. An Account of a bituminous hake or Plain in the JJland of 
Trinidad. By Mr. Alexander Anderfon ; communicated by 
Sir Jofeph Banks, Bart . P. R* S. 
Read February 19, 1789. 
A MOST remarkable production of nature in the ifland of 
Trinidad, is a bituminous lake, or rather plain, known 
by the name of Tar Lake; by the French called La Bray, from 
the refemblance to, and anfwering the intention of, fhip pitch. 
It lies in the leeward fide of the ifland, about half* way from 
the Bocas to the fouth end, where the Mangrove fwamps are 
interrupted by the fand-banks and hills; and on a point of 
land which extends into the fea about two miles, exactly oppo- 
life to the high mountains of Paria, on the north fide of the 
Gulf. ' 
Th is cape, or head- land, is about fifty feet above the level of 
the fea, and is the greateft elevation of land on this fide of the 
ifland. From the fea it appears a mafs of black vitrified rocks ; 
but, on a clofe examination, it is found a compofition of bitu- 
minous fcoriae, vitrified fand, and earth, cemented together * 
in fome parts beds of cinders only are found. In approaching 
this Cape, there is a ftrong fulphureous fmell, fometimes difa- 
greeable. This fmell is prevalent in many parts of the ground 
to the diftance of eight or ten miles from it. 
This point of land is about two miles broad, and on the 
eaft and weft fides, from the diftance of about half a mile 
Vol. LXXIX. K from 
