The hill itself was of schistose formation, the boulders of different kinds of rocks, and very sparingly scattered through the soil.

We had scarcely reached the summit of this hill, when it was enveloped in thick clouds, from which the lightning flashed, and the thunder pealed close to us, and crack after crack reverberated along the valleys.

It soon passed away, however, and left us well drenched, but the western horizon was still black with clouds.

From this hill we proceeded to another, which at first sight I had thought was of volcanic origin, but proved to be like the first, of schistose formation, and was covered with low scrub.

About 2 p.m.we had finished our work, and the sun shone out.