2SC. 
SULPHUREOUS SPRINGS. 
thermal springs# are seen issuing from the soil; and at 
length we reach the borders of the lake of Oampoma, the 
exhalations from which contribute to the insalubrity of the 
climate of Cariaco. The natives believe that the' hoilow 
i_ s formed by the engulfing of the hot springs ; and, judging 
from the sound heard under the hoofs of the horses, we must 
conclude that the subterranean cavities are continued from 
west to east nearly as far as Casanay, a length of three or 
tour thousand toises. A little river, the liio Azul, runs 
through these plains, which are rent into crevices by earth- 
quakes. These earthquakes have a particular centre of action, 
and seldom extend as far as Cumaua. The waters of the 
Eio Azul are cold and limpid ; they rise on the western decli- 
vity of tho mountain of Meapire, and it is believed that they 
are augmented by infiltrations from the lake Putacuao, situ- 
ated on the other side of the chain. The little river, toge- 
ther with the sulphureous hot springs, fall into the Laguna 
de . Campoma. This is a name given to a great lagoon, 
which is divided in dry weather into three basins situated 
north-west of the town of Cariaco, near the extremity of the 
gulf. Fetid exhalations arise continually from the stagnant 
water of this lagoon. _ The smell of sulphuretted hydrogen 
is mingled with that of putrid fishes and rotting plants. 
Miasms are formed in the valley of Cariaco, as in the 
Campagna of Koine ; but the hot climate of the tropics 
increases their deleterious energy. These miasms are pro- 
bably ternary or quaternary combinations of azote, phos- 
phorus, hydrogen, carbon, and sulphur. 
The situation of the lagoon of Campoma renders the 
north-west wind, which blows frequently^ after sunset, very 
pernicious to tho inhabitants of the little town of Cariaco. 
Its influence can be the less doubted, as intermitting fevers 
are observed to degenerate into typhoid fevers, in proportion 
as we approach the lagoon, which is the principal focus of 
putrid miasms. \V hole families of free negroes, who have 
small plantations on the northern coast of the gulf of 
Cariaco, languish in their hammocks from the beginning of 
the rainy season. T.iese intermittent fevers assume a dan- 
* El Llano de Aynas calientei, E. N. E. of Cariaco, at the distance 
of two leagues 
