The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-19


tinued north winds.
A singular phenomenon is observed
in Lake Maracaibo. which since the
days of Columbus has not only puzzled
the curious, but also the learned and
scientific, who have unsuccessfully at
tempted TO explain it. This phenomenon
consists in the appearance of a re-
markable light, which shows itself in
the middle of the night and at a par
ticular part of the lake, near its south
ern extremity. This light bears some
resemblance to the ignis fatuus of our
own marshes: and most probably is a
phosporescence of similar nature,
though on a much grander scalez-since
it is visible at vast distance across
the open water. AS it is seen usually
in the same direction, and appears fixed
in one place, it serves as a beacon for
the fishermen and traders who navi-
gate the waters of the lake. Vessels
that have strayed from their course
often regulate their reckonings by the
mysterious 'Farol de Maracaibov
Qantern of Maracaibo).
Various explanations have been Of
fered to account for this singular spec
tacle. 1t appears TO be produced by
the eXhalations that arise from an eX-
tensive marshy tract lying around the
mouth of the River Zulia, and above
which 1t usually shows itself.
OF all the ideas suggested by the
mention of Lake Maracaibo, perhaps
none are so interesting as those that
relate to it's native inhabitants. whose
peculiar habits and modes of life not
only astonished the early navigators.
but eventually gave it's name to the
lake itself and to the extensive prov
ince in which it is situated. When
the Spanish discoveries. sailing around
the shores of the gulf, arrived near
the entrance of Lake Maracaibo, they
saw, to their Amusement, not only
single houses, but whole villages, APP
parently floating upon the water. On
approaching nearer they perceived that
these houses were raised some feet
above the surface and supported by
posts or piles driven into the mud at
the bottom The idea of Venice-that
city built upon the sea, to which they
had been long accustomed-was sug-
gested by these superaqueous habita-
tions; and the name of Venezuela (Lit-
tie Nenice) was at once bestowed upon
the coast, and afterward applied TO the
whole province now known as the re-
public of Venezuela.
Though the water villages" then
observed have long since disappeared
many others of a similar kind were
afterward discovered in Lake Mara
caibo itself. some of which are in ex
istence TO the present day Besides
here and there an isolated habitation
situated in some bay or ''laguna." there
are several villages upon this plan still
in existence.
Is it for personal security against
human enemies-for this sometimes
drives people to seek singular situa-
tions for their homes? No, the Indian
of Maracaibo has his human foes. like
all other people; but it is none OF
these that have forced him to adopt
this strange custom.
Other enemies? wild beasts? the
dreaded jaguar, perhaps?
No nothing of this kind.
And yet it is in reality a living crea
ture that drives him to this resource
that has forced him to fee from the
mainland and take to the water for
security against its attack-a creature
of such small dimensions and appar-
emily so contemplate in its strength
that you will no doubt smile at the
idea of Its putting a strong man to
fight-a little insect exactly the size of
an English gnat. and no bigger. but
so formidable by means Of its poisonous
bite, and its myriad of numbers. as TO
render many parts of the shores OF
Lake Maracaibo quite uninhabitable.
You guess, no doubt. the insect TO
which ! allude?
You can not fail to recognize It $
the mosquito? Just SO; II is the mos
quito andsfn no part of South America
do these insects abound in greater mum
bers, and nowhere are they more blood