96 
attention of travellers on the phenomena of na- 
ture ; though we knew that these stories were 
in general less indebted for their currency to the 
superstition of the Indians^ than to that of the 
Whites, the mestizoes, and the African slaves ; 
and that the reveries of a few individuals, who 
reason on the progressive changes of the surface 
of the Globe, gradually assume the character of 
historical traditions. Without giving any credit 
to the existence of an extent of country in a 
former state of ignition, we were conducted by 
the Indians to the Volcancitos de Turbaco ; and 
this excursion made us acquainted with pheno- 
mena, much more important than any we could 
have expected. 
The Volcancitos are situate six thousand 
metres to the east of the village of Turbaco, in a 
thick forest, abounding with balsam of Tolu 
trees, the gustavia with flowers resembling those 
of the nymphea, and the cavanillesia mocundo, 
the membranous and transparent fruits of which 
resemble lanterns suspended at the extremity of 
the branches. The ground rises gradually forty or 
fifty metres above the village of Turbaco ; but 
as it is every where covered with vegetation, it 
is not possible to distinguish the nature of the 
rocks that repose on the shelly calcareous soil. 
The 41st plate represents the southern part of 
the plain, in which are found the V olcandtos. 
