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Show CATARACTS OF TilE ORINOCO. 1 1 the question from the inacce sibility of the locality, its highly insalubriou atmosphere, and the swarms of mo.quitocs which fill the air), that the whole fall of the Rauda.l, from the mouth of the Cameji to that of the Toparo, hardly amounts to 28 or 30 feet (30 or 32 English). I say, "I found with astoni hment;" for this shows that the dreadful noise and wild da bing and foaming of the river are the results of the narrowing of its bed by countless rocks and islands, and of the counter currents produced by the form and situation of the masses of rock. The best ocular demonstration of the small height of the whole fall is obtained by descending from the village of Maypures to the bed of the river by the rock of Manimi. From this point a wonderful prospect is enjoyed. A foaming surface of four miles in length presents itself at once to the eye : ironblack masses of rock resembling ruins and battlemented towers rise frowning from the waters. Rocks and islands are adorned with the luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest; a perpetual mist hovers over the waters, and the summits of the lofty palms pierce through the cloud of spray and vapor. When the rays of the glowing evening sun are refracted in these humid exhalations, a magic optical effect begins. Colored bows shine, vanish, and reappear; and the ethereal image is swayed to and fro by the breath of the sportive breeze. During the long rainy season, the streaming waters bring down islands of vegetable mould, and thus the naked rocks are studded with bright flower-beds adorned with Melastomas and Droseras, and with small silver-leaved mimosas and ferns. These spots recall to the recollection of the European those blocks of granite decked with flowers which rise solitary amidst the glaciers of Savoy, and are called by the dwellers in the Alps "J ardins," or "Courtils." In the blue distance the eye rests on the mountain chain of Cunavami, a long extended ridge which terminates abruptly in a truncated cone. We saw the latter (Calitamini is its Indian name) glowing at sunset as if in roseate flames. This appearance returns daily : no one has ever been near the mountain to detect the precise cause of this brightness, which may perhaps proceed from a reflecting surface produced by the decomposition of talc or mica slate. During the five days which we passed in the neighborhood of the Cataracts, it was striking to bear the thunder of the rushing tor- 16 |
