vegetation, and the extreme humidity of the atmosphere, it is not the same in the savannahs or Llanos of Monai and Carora. These Llanos are separated by the mountainous tract of Tocuyo and Nirgua from the great Plaines de la Portuguesa et de Calabozo. It is a very extraordinary phenomenon to see barren savannahs loaded with miasmata. No marshy ground is found there, but several phenomena indicate a disengagement of hydrogen gas*. When travellers, who are not acquainted with natural inflammable gasses, are shown the Cueva del Serrito de Monai, it is usual to frighten them by setting fire to the gaseous mixture, which is

What is that luminous phenomenon known under the name of the lantern (farol) of Maracaybo, which is perceived every night, toward the seaside as well as in the inland parts, at Merida for example, where Mr. Palacios observed it during two years? The distance, greater than 40 leagues, at which the light is distinguished, has led to the supposition, that it might be owing to the effects of a thunderstorm, or of electrical explosions, which might daily take place in a pass in the mountains. It is asserted, that, on approaching the furol, the rolling of thunder is heard. Others vaguely pretend, that it is an air-voleano; and that asphaltic soils, like those of Mena, cause these inflammable exhalations so constant in their appearance. The phenomenon takes place on a mountainous and uninhabited spot, on the borders of the Rio Catatumbo, near it's junction with the Rio Sulia. The place of the farol is such, that, being nearly in the meridian of the opening (boca) of the lake of Maracaybo, navigators are guided by it as by a lighthouse.

constantly accumulated in the upper part of the cavern. May we attribute the insalubrity of the atmosphere to the same causes as in the plains between Tivoli and Rome, to disengagements of sulphuretted hydrogen * ? Perhaps

also the mountainous lands, that are near the Llanos of Monai, have a baneful influence on the surrounding plains. The South-East winds may bring to them the putrid exhalations, that rise from the ravine of Villegas, and from La Sienega de Cabra, between Carora and Carache. I am desirous of collecting every circumstance, which has a relation to the salubrity of the air; for, in a matter so obscure, it is only by the comparison of a great number of phenomena, that we can hope to discover the truth.

The barren yet feverous savannahs, that extend from Barquesimeto to the eastern shore of the lake of Maracaybo, are partly covered with cactus; but the good silvester cochineal, known by the vague name of grana de Carora, comes from a more temperate region, between Carora and Truxillo, and particularly from the valley

* Don Carlos del Pozo has discovered in this district, at the bottom of the Quebrada de Moroturo, a stratum of clayey earth, black, strongly soiling the fingers, emitting a strong smell of sulphur, and inflaming spontaneously, when slightly moistened and exposed for a long time to the rays of the tropical Sun; the detonation of this muddy substance is very violent.

of the Rio Mucuju *, to the East of Merida. The inhabitants neglect altogether this production, so much sought for in commerce.

This little river descends from the Paramo de los Conejos, and flows into the Rio Albarregas.

NOTES

ΤΟ

THE FIFTH BOOK.

NOTE A.

The following are some remarkable passages in the letter from Aguirre to the king of Spain.

I

“King Philip, native of Spain, Son of Charles the Invincible! I, Lopez de Aguirre, thy vassal, an old Christian, of poor but noble parents, and native of the town of Onate in Biscay, passed over young to Peru, to labour lance in hand. I rendered thee great services in the conquest of India. I fought for thy glory, without demanding pay of thy officers, as is proved by the books of thy treasure. firmly believe, Christian King and Lord, very ungrateful to me and my companions, that all those, who write to thee from this land (America), deceive thee much, because thou scest things too far off. I recommend to thee, to be more just toward the good vassals, whom thou hast in this country: for I and mine, wearied of the cruelties and injustice, which thy viceroys, thy governors, and thy judges, exercise in thy name, are resolved to obey thee no more. We regard ourselves no longer as Spaniards. We make a cruel war on thee, because we will not endure the oppression of thy ministers; who, to give places to their nephews and their children, dispose of our lives, our reputation, and our fortune. I am lame in the left foot from two shots of an

arquebuse, which I received in the valley of Coquimbo, fighting under the orders of thy marshal, Alonzo de Alvarado, against Francis Hernandez Giron, then a rebel, as I am at present, and shall be always; for since thy viceroy, the Marquis of Canete, a cowardly, ambitious, and effeminate man, has hanged our most valiant warriors, I care no more for thy pardon than for the books of Martin Luther. It is not well in thee, King of Spain, to be ungrateful toward thy vassals; for, it was while thy father, the emperor Charles, remained quietly in Castille, that they procured for thee so many kingdoms and vast countries. Remember, King Philip, that thou hast no right to draw revenues from these provinces, the conquest of which has been without danger to thee, but inasmuch as thou recompensest those, who have rendered thee such great services. I am certain, that few Kings go to Heaven. Therefore we regard ourselves as very happy, to be here in the Indies, preserving in all their purity the commandments of God, and of the Roman church; and we intend, though sinners during life, to become one day martyrs to the glory of God. On going out of the river of Amazons, we landed in an island called La Margaretta. We there received news from Spain of the great faction and machination (maquina) of the Lutherans. This news frightened us extremely; we found among us one of that faction; his name was Monteverde. I had him cut to pieces, as was just for believe me, signior, wherever 1 am, people live according to the law. But the corruption of morals among the monks is so great in this land, that it is necessary to chastise it severely. There is not an ecclesiastic here, who does not think himself higher than the governor of a province. I beg of thee, great King, not to believe what the monks tell thee down yonder in Spain. They are always talking of the sacrifices they make, as well as of the hard and bitter life they are forced to lead in America: while they occupy the richest lands, and the Indians hunt and fish for them every day.