SAGACITY OF THE MULE. 
249 
that, they inspire the greatest confidence. Their habits 
are identical with those of the beasts of burden in Swit- 
zerland and the Pyrenees. In proportion as a country 
is wild, the instinct of domestic animals improves in ad- 
dress and sagacity. "When the mules feel themselves in 
danger, they stop, tinning their heads to the right and 
to the left ; and the motion of their ears seems to indicate 
that they reflect on the decision they ought to take. Their 
resolution is slow, but always just, if it be spontaneous; 
that is to say, if it be not thwarted or hastened by the im- 
prudence of the traveller. On the frightful roads of the 
Andes, during journeys of six or seven months across 
mountains furrowed by torrents, the intelligence of horses 
and beasts of burden is manifested in an astonishing man- 
ner. Thus the mountaineers are heard to say, “I will 
not give you the mule whose step is the easiest, but the 
one which is most intelligent (la mas racional).” This popu- 
lar expression, dictated by long experience, bears stronger 
evidence against the theory of animated machines, than 
all the arguments of speculative philosophy. 
When we had reached the highest point of the ridge 
or cuehilla of Gruanaguana, an interesting spectacle un- 
folded itself before us. We saw comprehended in one view 
the vast savannahs or meadows of Maturin and of the Rio 
Tigre;* the peak of the Turimiquiri ;+ and an infinite num- 
ber of parallel ridges, which, seen at a distance, looked like 
the waves of the sea. On the north-east opens the valley 
in which is situated the convent of Caripe. The aspect of 
this valley is peculiarly attractive, for being shaded by forests, 
it forms a strong contrast with the nudity of the neigh- 
bouring mountains, which are bare of trees, and covered 
with gramineous plants. We found the absolute height 
of the Cuehilla to be 548 toises. 
Descending from the ridge by a winding path, we en- 
tered into a completely woody country. The soil is covered 
with moss, and a new species of drosera,§ which by its 
form reminded us of the drosera of the Alps. The thick- 
ness of the forests, and the force of vegetation, augmented 
* These natural meadows are part of the llanos or immense steppes 
bordered by the Orinoco. 
f El Cucorucho. § Drosera tene'.la. 
