The lake itself was not visible until we stood upon its shores, as it lies in a slight hollow; it is about 800 feet across.

The surrounding scenery is the most remarkable.

The lake is so closely hemmed in by a ring of lofty and precipitous green mountains, that there is no room even for a footing between the water and the rocks, and its bed might be taken for an extinguished volcano filled with water--a supposition which gains additional force from the masses of basalt which occupy the foreground.

It is plentifully supplied with fish, one kind of which is said to be peculiar to the locality; it is supposed that the lake has a subterranean outlet, which as yet remains undiscovered.
To cross the lake, it is either necessary to swim over or trust oneself to a dangerous kind of boat, which is prepared by the natives in a few minutes.

Being desirous of making the attempt, I intimated this by signs to my guide.