292 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



which comprise the immense elevated plateau reaching a height of 

 some 16,000 feet above the level of the sea, with an endless number 

 of somewhat higher peaks rising slightly above this general elevation ; 

 while to the westward of Tiahuanaco the sharply-cut outline of the 

 mountain-chain which forms the dividing-boundaiy between Bolivia 

 and Peru shuts out the view in that direction. But while the outline 

 of many of these chains is most graceful, and the grandeur of the 

 Nevada de Sorata is not to be forgotten, the barrenness and utter 

 desolation of the whole scene dej^rives it of much of its beauty. 

 There is absolutely nothing green to rest the eye ; the whole country 

 is dry, arid, stony ; here and there a patch of rank grass, \ipon which 

 the vicufias manage to eke out their existence ; an occasional shrub, 

 with a stem as large as one's little finger, only left because it has thus 

 far escaped the eye of the Indian gathering the few shrubs remaining 

 as the only firewood, which, with characteristic imprudence, he does 

 not cut down to give it a chance to grow again, but pulls up roots and 

 all, to get as much fuel for the present needs as possible. 



The accompanying map illustrates the general hydrography of the 

 basin of Lake Titicaca. 



