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others insisted that we should return; which, however, was 
out of the question, as there were a great number cf mules 
bebind, in situations where it was impossible for them to turn 
round. After much time spent in altercation, it was agreed, 
that as our opponents had more room to move about in, they 
should endeavour to drive their mules up the hill above the 
road, which was there rather less steep; this, with the 
assistance of our muleteers, was at length accomplished; and 
while we passed down they remained perched in situations that 
hardly promised footing for as many goats. There is, perhaps, 
more risk in the descent than in the ladera itself, the road 
making several sudden turns on the face of the hill, where 
it is cut into steps to prevent the mules from slipping. 
In this part of the valley, on the south side, a hill rises 
abruptly to an elevation of nearly a thousand feet, and from 
its summit a slender stream, like a band of silver, fringed with 
verdure, winds its way down the steep declivity. At the 
highest point, though not seen from the same spot, is a small 
Indian village, very difficult of access, whose inhabitants are 
called in the Quichua language by the now classic name of 
“ The Children of the Mist.” 
The aspect of the scenery was here totally changed. The 
Cacti, which abounded on the granite and greenstone rocks | 
to some distance above Yazo, had disappeared with the 
rocks themselves, and were succeeded by a more kindly 
vegetation. Trap tufu, or conglomerate, was here the pre- 
vailing rock. Porphyry appeared in a few places, and rolled 
masses of it are imbedded in the tufa. The hills, though - 
steep, were much less rugged than before, and mostly 
. covered with shrubs and herbaceous plants, but the greater 
part of them were past flowering. Near Huarimayo are many 
Pourrettia and Aloes, especially A. perfoliata. In the valley, 
after. passing the Pacron, Tecoma sambucifolia and. Mutisia 
viciefolia were common; and, as we proceeded, the bank, 
was studded with the scarlet flowers of the latter. 
Mis of lances. Higher up, I found the Monnima in 
Tecoma, a very handsome shrub, is called by the Indians 
no, and its wood, which is very tough, is much valued 
