Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-05

variety. .ts numerous rivers render the agri-
cultural and manufacturing possibilities excep-
honal. while In metallic wealth 10 shows the
same richness that characterizes the mountain
Gus sections of the rest Of South America Cal
cuiated on the basis OF 1880 the world produces
one hundred million dollars worth of gold and
seventy-fve million dollars worth of silver an
nually. To this total Spanish America annually
contributes five millions Of gold and tsenty-
nve millions OF silver. According to Mulhau
the total amount of gold which Spanish America
has already put into circulation amounts to
2220 tons, or the enormous sum OF one billion
nve hundred and fifty million dollars. Most OF
the old mines are still yielding as we'll as they
did centuries ago, while new ones are being
constantly discovered Mulhall places the
United States next on the list, with a product
OF one billion four hundred and thirty million
dollars, and Australia third. with one billion
two hundred and ninety million dollars.
An official estimate, based on state records,
OF the production of precious minerals IN Co
lombla during the last three hundred years
puts the figures at S652 000. 600 up to the wear
1884. and adds that the silver produced during
the present century up to that date amounts to
Szzo,0O0,OV0. The principal minerals yet dis
covered are gold, silver, platinum, mercury,
lead. cinnabar, rock salt. coal and inter. The
region about the cordilleras has yet been
but little explored, therefore no accurate esti-
mate OF the mining possibilities can be made.
Many mines exist, however, and prospecting.
which has lately received q new impetus. 10
seldom fruitless.
PRODUCTIONS.
There is wonderful emerald mine not far
from Bogota. Among other productions of the
country may be mentioned india rubber, Peru
Wan bark, coffee, caoao, cotton, sugar cane,
rice, indigo, corn, potatoes, wheat, fruits OF
the tropical and temperate zones and some OF
the finest tobacco In the world. shat from
which the famous Ambalema cigars are made
The forests that for the most part cover the
surface OF the country abound in magnificent
woods of all descriptions and an endless variety
OF medicinal barks. saps. roots herbs. leaves,
flowers and fruits are also found. Many of
these are known to science, but are exceedingly
rare. while others equally potent and some Of
them far superior to anything vet employed in
materla medica are used by the Indian medi-
cine men.
The general typographical confguration Of
Colombia is determined by the three great
ranges into which the Andes, continuing north
ward from Peru and Ecuador, braach off as
they near the isthmus. They traverse the
whole length OF the state, and between them
lie broad, hot and deep valleys watered respec-
lively by the Atrato, Cauca and Magdalena
rivers. This alienation OF valleys and heights
that rise above the line of perpetual snow
gives great diversity of climate. from the cold
of the polar regions to the sweltering heats of
Senegal; while the table lands and hill slopes
preserve the mild weather of the temperate
zone, scarcely varying five degrees from year
to year, on the Caribbean coasts the heat is
continually tempered by the trade winds and
other pure air currents from the ocean.
TEE FALLS OF TEoUENpAma
To reach these wonderful falls from Bosota
requires long journey on horse or mule back,
in course of which one must depend upon the
hospitality Of the people for two nights or
three. according to ones ability in the saddle.
The route lies straight across the plain of Boz
gotta, and then along the foot of hills whose al
most perpendicular sides jut a thousand feet
above the road.
Nearing the falls the country becomes inde-
scrlbably lovely and suddenly we emerge into
an open space and before us is spread such
view as is rarely presented to human eyes-a
huge amphitheater of mighty rocks covered
with dense vegetation. surrounding a magnit-
cent cascade, whose height Is variously stated
at from 600 ~ loo feet. The whole body of a
river. forcing itself through narrow fissure in
the heights above, comes tumbling down
with deafenlng roar, until. in mist and vapor
1t dives into pool more than hundred feet
deep and then quietly flows away through the
valley below. The mists reflect all the colors
OF the rainbow, and such is the tremendous
force of falling water that it has actually
followed out well in the solid rock below $50
feet deep. Birds are flying in and out o. the
spray, where it is said that caves exist in which
great numbers of ''goat suckers make
their nests. The Indians have a legend to
the effect that the Great Spirit tore open
the mountains and made this fall in order to
drain for their use the fertile plains above
Biologists argue that the great Sabana of Boz
gotta, with its encircling hills. must at one time
have been the basin of a fresh-water lake.
which was maintained in spite of the rapid
evaporation of the altitude and the overflow
toward the east, by the Rio de Bogota with Its
numerous branches rushing impetuously into
it. But the lake cannot have been very deep,
as the natural dam that confined its waters on
the southern edge at the junction of the Bo-
gotta and Muno rivers is no more than $50 feet
above the present lowest water level. Finally
the pent-up waters overfowed this dam and
began the formation of the Tequendama cas-
cade through deep gorge of the cordillera
In course of time, probably on the occasion OF
one of those great earthquakes that have so
frequently rent the Andes, the dam was en-
tireiy swept away and the lake drained
The Bogota river follows winding course to
a labyrinth of rocks and boulders, where, with
the towering cordillera of Cundinamari on one
side and the heights of Quindiu on the other,
1t takes this stupendous leap.
Below this point the river Bogota. emerging
again into the light, winds through thick
bushes and rocky banks to its confluence with
the Magdalena, many miles farther north.
FANNIE b. WARD.