M AT AN Z AS. 
109 
ON THE SAN JUAN RIVER. 
tinuous column. There are cavernous formations under large areas of 
the island; caves larger or smaller are found in many other places 
Similar phenomena are the natural bridges and the tunnels and subter¬ 
ranean river courses. Among them is the wonderful tunnel of the Cuzco 
River in the eastern part of the island. The stream has bored a wav- 
through a lofty ridge, disappears at the base of a hill, and reappears on the 
other side of the ridge, three miles away. Borings for artesian wells in 
various parts of the island are frequently interfered with by the drill 
penetrating caverns. 
> From the old town of Matanzas we cross the Yumurl by the Concordia 
Bridge, an iron structure with massive ornamental stone columns at each 
end, to Versalles, and drive out on the Paseo de Marti. There is a fine 
view from the bridge looking up the river to the gorge, beyond which 
lies the Yumuri Valley. To the left are the twin towers of the Church 01 
St. Peter. The church is remarkable for its strength as a fortified place; 
it was surrounded by a wall 20 feet high and 10 feet thick, evidently bail 
for purposes of defense. Versalles has many beautiful villas in classical 
style, with white marble columns, elaborate grilled windows, iron work 
balconies, handsome porticoes, and mosaic pavements. The Paseo Marti— 
formerly named the Paseo de Santa Cristina—is a broad parked boulevard 
Overlooking the harbor and commanding a pleasant view of the bay and 
