512
DISTANT VIEW OF THE LLANOS.
o n the hank opposite C a p u c h i n o , these observations were important for determining the rate o f my c h r o n o m e t e r , and c o n n e c t i n g the situations on the O r i n o c o with those on the shore o f Venezuela. T h e situation o f this farm, being at the point where the O r i n o c o changes its course, (which had p r e viously been from south to north,) and runs from west to east, is extremely picturesque. G r a n i t e r o c k s rise like islets amidst vast meadows. From their tops we discerned towards the north the Llanos o f Calabozo b o u n d i n g the horizon. We had been so long accustomed to the aspect o f forests, that this view made a powerful impression on us. T h e steppes after sunset assume a tint o f greenish gray. T h e visual ray b e i n g intercepted only by the rotundity o f the earth, the stars seemed t o rise as from the b o s o m o f the ocean, and the most experienced mariner would have fancied himself placed o n a projecting capo o f a r o c k y coast. O u r host was a F r e n c h m a n , who lived amidst his numerous herds. Though he had forgotten his native language, he seemed pleased to learn that we came from bis c o u n t r y , which he had left forty years before ; and he wished to retain us fur some days at his farm. T h e small t o w n s o f Caycara and Cabruta were o n l y a few miles distant from the f a r m ; but during part of the year our host was in c o m p l e t e solitude. T h e Capuchino b e c o m e s an island by the inundations o f the A pure and the O r i n o c o , and the c o m m u n i c a t i o n with the neighbouring farms can be kept up only by means o f a boat. T h e horned cattle then seek the higher g r o u n d s which extend on the south toward the chain o f the mountains o f Encaramada. This granitic chain is intersected by vallies, which contain magnetic sands (granulary oxidulated i r o n ) , o w i n g no doubt to the decomposition o f some amphibolic o r O n the morning o f the 9th o f J u n e we met a great n u m b e r o f boats laden with merchandize sailing up the O r i n o c o , in o r d e r to enter the A pure. This is a commercial road much frequented between A n g o s t u r a and the port o f T o r u n o s in the province o f o f Varinas. O u r fellow-traveller. Don Nicolas Soto, brother in law o f the governor o f Varinas, took the same course, to return to his family. At the the eastern bank of the Orinoco), the latitude 7째 37' 45", the longitude 69째 5' 30".
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