183 
of the thatch being covered with a dense mass of Tillandsia, 
of which the seeds have probably been carried there by the 
wind. When in flower, this unique garden must have a pic- 
turesque effect. A large Molle was growing in front of the 
but, and it had been wounded by chipping the bark in several 
places to procure its resin, which is much valued as a remedy 
for bruises; it was exuding plentifully in whitish tears. 
On leaving Huarimayo, we continued along the north side 
of the valley, which is only wide enough to afford a passage 
to the stream. The hills rise so abruptly, that, in cutting a 
road, it has been necessary to carry it to a great elevation, - 
following a natural break in the declivity of the mountain, 
which allowed a breadth of a few feet to be levelled between 
a precipice on the one hand, and the almost perpendicular 
wall of rock that rises on the other. The rushing noise of 
the stream gradually became more faint as we ascended, and 
died away before we reached the greatest elevation, at nearly 
400 feet above its bed. The profound silence that reigns in 
solitary mountain-districts, where there are no trees, and we 
hear neither the song of birds nor the humming of insects, 
was only broken at intervals by the shouts of the muleteers 
encouraging or threatening their troop, as they wound 
slowly in an extended line along the sinuosities of the moun- 
tain. Sometimes, a mule, pressed by a heavy load, showed 
a disposition to halt and rest, and consequently stop all those 
in his rear, in places where it was almost impossible to reach 
him; but in such cases, a mixed volley of stones and impreca- 
ions, with threats of future punishment, which experience 
had taught the offender not to despise, soon had the effect of 
Putting him againen røde — o 00 a 00000 
- It chanced that several troops of laden mules, bound to 
Pasco, were passing the ladera at the same time, and followed 
in our rear, Our muleteers had neglected the usual precau- 
tion of sending forward a messenger to prevent others from 
ascending in the opposite direction till we should have de- 
Scended to the valley and left the road clear; the consequence 
was, that we were met at the end of the ladera by another party 
that had just ascended, and our muleteers being in fault, the 
