420 
PEAKS or THE SILLA. 
ressed by all classes of European Spaniards over those boro 
in Spanish America. He bad provided himself with lon<* 
slips of white paper, which were to be cut, and flung on 
the savannah, to indicate to those who might stray behind, 
the direction they ought to Mow. The professor had even 
promised the friars ol his order to fire off some rochets, to 
announce to the whole town of Caracas that we had suc- 
ceeded in an enterprise which to him appeared of the utmost 
importance. He had forgotten that his long and heavv 
garments would embarrass him in the ascent. Havum lost 
courage long before the creoles, he passed the rest of the 
daym a neighbouring plantation, gazing at us through a 
glass directed to the Silla, as we climbed the mountain. 
Unfortunately for us, he had taken charge of the water and 
the provision so necessary in an excursion to the mountains, 
the slaves, who were to rejoin us, were so long detained 
by him that they arrived very late, and we were ten hours 
without either bread or water. 
The eastern peak is the most elevated of the two which 
form the summit of the mountain, and to this we directed 
our course with our instruments. The hollow between 
these two peaks lias suggested the Spanish name of Silla 
(saddle), which is given to the whole mountain. The 
narrow defile which we have already mentioned, descends 
rom this hollow toward the valley of Caracas, commencing 
near the western dome. The eastern summit is accessible 
only by going first to the west of the ravine over the pro- 
montory ot the Puerta, proceeding straight forward to the 
lower summit; and not turning to the east till the ridge 
or the hollow ot the Silla between the two peaks, is nearly 
reached The general aspect of the mountain points out 
this path ; the rocks being so steep on the east of the ravine 
hat i wouid be extremely difficult to reach the summit of 
le Silla by ascending straight to the eastern dome, instead 
of gomg by the way of the Puerta . 
Prom the foot ot the cascade of Chacaito to one thousand 
-oises ot elevation, _ we found only savannahs. Two small 
liliaceous plants, with yellow flowers,* alone lift up their 
heads, among the grasses which cover the rocks. A few 
* Cypura martinioensis, and Sisyrinchium Iridifolimn. This last i* 
found also near the A enta of La Guayra, at 600 tdses of elevation. 
