the width of the stream 36 feet. The Natural Bridges of Icononzo are also much celebrated. The largest consists of a natural arch of stone 50 feet long, and 40 wide, stretching over a chasm (through which rolls a swift torrent) at an elevation of 318 feet above the surface of the water.

Inhabitants, etc. The population is composed of Whites, Indians, Negroes and mixed races. Agriculture is in a rude state. The farmers are chiefly occupied in raising live-stock.

Traveling Facilities.-In the mountainous districts there are no roads, and individuals are carried on a kind of basket-chair on the backs of porters. In other parts, mules form the chief means of conveyance. The method of crossing streams is by ropes stretched from one side to the other with sling and basket, in which the traveler seats himself, and is pulled safely over.

Steamboats now ply on the Magdalena, which will much facilitate the development of the country; and a railroad, recently built, spans the Isthmus of Panama.

Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are of the simplest kinds. Commerce receives considerable attention. The chief articles of export are hides, specie and bullion.

Cities.-BOGOTA, the capital city, is situated in a fertile plain on the left bank of the Bogota, nearly 9,000 feet above the level of the sea. All the houses are low, in consequence of the apprehension of earth

quakes; and are built of sun-dried brick, whitewashed and covered with tiles. Churches and convents cover nearly half the city.

CARTHAGENA, situated on Carthagena Bay, is the chief seaport and naval arsenal of the republic. It is connected with the Magdalena by a canal.

POPAYAN lies in a fertile plain near the Cauca River. The inhabitants are chiefly mulattoes and negroes.

LESSON LXXXIII.

THE REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA.

Area in sq. miles, 427,000. Population, 1,324,000.

Geographical Position.-Venezuela lies between New Grenada on the west and Guiana on the east; and extends from the Brazilian empire to the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Surface. The greater part of the surface is a vast plain. There are some mountain ridges in the south and west.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is very productive. The climate is warm, and as there is little variety of surface, a high temperature generally prevails. The year is divided into two seasons-the wet and the dry. All the tropical products grow here luxuriantly. Animals and insects are numerous, and pearl oysters are found along the coast.

Inhabitants, etc.—The population may be divided into three classes -Whites, Indians and mixed races. The whites are chiefly engaged in agricultural and commercial pursuits.

Traveling Facilities.-There are no good roads and bridges. Traveling and inland commerce are carried on by means of mules and lamas. Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are few, and very simple; and the exports consist of a great variety of tropical plants, together with cattle, and the several articles of trade which they yield.

Cities.-CARACCAs, the capital, lies in a valley, about 12 miles distant from its port, La Guayra. This city is noted as having been the birth-place of General Bolivar.

MARACAYBO, on the left bank of Lake Mara taybo, carries on an active trade with the interior. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in navigating the lake.

LA GUAYRA and CUMANA are seaports on the Caribbean Sea. ANGOSTURA is the chief place of trade in the valley of the Orinoco.

THE COLONIES OF GUIANA.

Area in sq. miles, 141,000. Population, 214,000.

Geographical Position, etc.-This portion of Northern South America is situated directly east of Venezuela, along the Atlantic coast, between the mouth of the Orinoco and that of the Oyapok. It consists of three colonies belonging to France, Holland, and Great Britain, called respectively, French, Dutch and British Guiana.

Surface. Along the coast the land is low and flat, so that the country appears, upon approaching it, like a line of trees growing out of the water. It is level for some distance inland, and in the south it is somewhat hilly and mountainous.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is very rich, in consequence of being covered with water during the rainy season. The climate is hot. On the coast there are two winters, or rainy seasons, and two dry seasons, during the year. Vegetation is luxuriant. Dye, and other valuable woods, spices, and fruits and plants peculiar to tropical countries, are plentiful. Insects are numerous. Ant-hillocks have been seen as high as 15 or 20 feet, and nearly 100 feet in circumference.

Inhabitants, etc.-The interior is chiefly inhabited by various Indian tribes. The coast and settled districts are occupied by European settlers, Negroes and mixed races. The leading object of pursuit among the settlers is the cultivation of sugar and coffee-plantations. Most of the negroes are slaves, except in the British and French colonies.

Traveling Facilities.-The chief mode of traveling is by boats on the . various rivers which traverse the country. Canals are being constructed in some parts.

Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are very few and unimportant. The chief exports are coffee, sugar, rum, molasses, indigo, fruits and spices.

Towns.-GEORGETOWN, the capital of British Guiana, lies on the east bank of the Demerara, about one mile above its mouth. The streets are traversed by canals.

PARAMARIBO, the capital of Dutch Guiana, is located on the west bank of the Surinam, about six miles above its mouth. The streets of the town are ornamented with rows of orange, lemon and tamarind trees.

CAYENNE, the capital of French Guiana, is situated on the Island of Cayenne, which is near the coast of Continental Guiana. It is noted for its trade in Cayenne pepper.

LESSON LXXXIV

THE EMPIRE OF BRAZIL. Area in sq. intes, 3,956,800. Pop., 6,065,000.

Geographical Position, te.-This vast empire comprehends the eastern, and a great part of the central portion of the South American Peninsula. It possesses a coast line of 3,700 miles in length. Surface. The northern part of Brazil consists chiefly of a vast plain, through which flow the Amazon and its tributaries. The shores of the east coast are generally low, but gradually rise to the mountainous region which runs parallel to the coast, from 20 to 150 miles inland.

Minor ranges intersect the other parts of the empire, enclosing tracts, some elevated, and others low-lying plains. Along the watercourses are numerous dense and almost impenetrable forests.

Soil, Climate, etc.-The soil is generally fertile, and vegetation exceedingly luxuriant. The climate may be characterized as mild and agreeable, except in the north. In Brazil, as in all other regions south of the equator, the order of the seasons is the reverse of ours. December, January and February are their hottest months. The forests abound with useful and ornamental woods.

The banana forms the principal part of the food of the Indians, and the flour of the Cassava root is much used by the less wealthy classes. Other tropical fruits and plants are abundant.

The forests swarm with wild animals, and a great variety of birds of the richest plumage; the plains afford pasturage for numerous herds of wild cattle. The diamond mines of Brazil are exceedingly valuable.

Inhabitants, etc.-The inhabitants consist of Whites, chiefly of Portuguese descent; Negroes, mixed races, and several savage tribes of native Indians. The cultivation of the soil, and the labor in the mines, are performed by the negro slaves.

Traveling Facilities.-All goods are transported, either on the backs of mules, or horses, as scarcely any part of the empire is passable for carriages.

Manufactures and Exports.-Manufactures are yet in their infancy.

The exports are principally sugar, coffee and cotton; besides which are hides, horns, tallow, jerked beef, cabinet and dyewoods, drugs, gold and diamonds.

Cities.-RIO JANEIRO, the capital city, situated on the west side of the bay, or harbor of Rio, is the principal seat of the foreign commerce of the empire.

The houses are generally built of granite, and the streets intersect each other at right angles, save where the beach, or the declivities of the hills forbid.

Fountains, supplied by means of a magnificent aqueduct, which conducts the water from the adjacent mountains, are numerous. The environs of the city are exceedingly picturesque and beautiful.

PARA, situated on the right bank of the Para, carries on considerable trade in exporting cocoa, caoutchouc, or India rubber, isinglass, rice and drugs.

PERNAMBUCO, called also RECIFE, is a commercial city of consider able importance.

BAHIA, a large and flourishing commercial city of Brazil, lies on the east side of the Bay of All Saints.