TULA. DE 0K0TAYA. 
61 
issued ; and that tlio aslies which covered the ground adja- 
cent, wore not vet fertilized. Whenever the rock appeared, 
\ve discovered basaltic amygdaloid* covered with hardened 
clay.t which contains rapiili, or fragments of pumice-stone. 
This last formation resembles the tufas of Pausilippo, and 
the strata ot puzzolana, which I found in the valley of Quito, 
at the foot ot the volcano of Pichincha. The amygdaloid 
has very long pores, like the superior strata of the lavas of 
Vesuvius, arising probably from the action of an clastic fluid 
forcing its way through tho matter in fusion. Notwith- 
standing these analogies, I must here repeat, that in all 
the low region of the peak of Teneritte, uu the side of Orc- 
tava, I have met with no flow of lava, nor any current, tho 
limits of which arc strongly marked. Torrents and inun- 
dations change the surface ot the glohe, and when a great 
number of currents ot lava meet and spread over a plain, as 
I have seen at Vesuvius, in the Atrio dci Cavalli, they seem 
to bo confounded together, and wear the appearance of real 
strata. 
The villa de Oroiava has a pleasant aspect at a distance, 
from the great abundance of water which runs through tho 
principal streets. The spring of Agua Mansa, collected in 
two large reservoirs, turns several mills, and is afterward 
discharged among the vineyards of the adjacent hills. The 
climate is still more refreshing at the villa than at tho port 
ot La Cruz, from the influence of the breeze, which blows 
strong after ten in. the morning. Tho water, which lias been 
dissolved in the air at a higher temperature, frequently preci- 
pitates itself, and renders the climate very foggy. The villa 
is nearly 160 toiscs (312 metres) above the level of the sea, 
consequently 200 toiscs lower than the site on which Laguna 
is built: it is observed also, that the same kind of plants 
flower a month later in this latter place. 
Orotava, the ancient Taoro of the Guanchcs, is situated 
on a very steep declivity. The streets seem deserted ; the 
bouses are solidly built, and of a gloomy appearance. We 
passed along a lofty aqueduct, lined with a great number of 
fine ferns ; and visited several gardens, in which tho fruit 
trees of the north of Europo are mingled with orange t roes, 
* Basaltartiger Mandelstein. Werner, 
f Bimstein-Congloraerat. W. 
