334 ! 
SHOALS AND ISLANDS. 
towai ds Cape Chichivacoa ? These important problems can 
only be solved when the chain of islands parallel with the 
coast has been properly examined. It must not be for- 
gotten, that a great irruption of the ocean appears to have 
taken place between Trinidad and Grenada,* and that no 
where else in the long series of the Lesser Antilles are two 
neighbouring islands so far removed from each other. Ve 
observe the ellect of the rotatory current in the direction of 
Uie coast of Trinidad as in the coasts of the provinces of 
Ciimana and Caracas, between Cape Paria and pUta Araya 
and between Cape Codera and Porto Cabello. If a part of 
the continent has been overwhelmed by the ocean on the 
north ot the peninsula of Araya, it is probable that the 
enormous shoal which surrounds Cubagua, Coche, the island 
ofMarguenta, Los Prailes, La Sola, and the Testigos, marks 
the extent and outline ot the submerged land. This shoal 
or placer, which is of the extent of 200 square leao-ues is 
well linowu only to the tribe ot the Guayqueries; it is fre- 
quented by these Indians on account of its abundant fishery 
in calm weather. The Gran Placer is believed to be sepa- 
rated only by some canals or deep furrows of the bank of 
Grenada from the smid-bank that extends like a narrow 
dyke from Tobago to Grenada, and which is known by the 
lowering of the temperature of the water, and from the 
sand-banks ot Los Eoques and Aves. The Guayquerie 
Jndians and, generally speaking, all the inhabitants of the 
coast of Cumana and Barcelona, are imbued with an idea 
that the water of the shoals of Marguerita and the Testio-os 
dmnmshes trom year to year ; they believe that, in the lapse 
ot ages, the Morro de Chacopata, on the peninsula of Araya 
nill be joined by a neck of land to the islands of Lobos and 
Locfie. The partial retreat of the waters on the coast of 
Cumana IS undeniable, and the bottom of the sea has been 
upheaved at various times by cartliquakes ; but these local 
piienomena, which it is so difficult to account for by the 
* It is affirmed that the island of Trinidad i.s traversed in the northern 
part by a Cham of primitive slate, and that Grenada furnishes basalt It 
would be important to e.varaine of wliat rock the island of Tobavo i 
composed ; it qipeared to me of dazzling whiteness ; and on what point 
