THE HILL-STAR HUMMING-BIRD. 27 



lous villages. It looks to the traveller 

 the abode of beauty and content. But 

 the most dangerous volcanoes in the 

 world hem in the lovely valley of Quito. 



Smoke and flame are often seen issuinof 

 from their snow-clad tops. The snow 

 will suddenly melt before some violent 

 eruption, and floods will desolate the 

 happy valley. 



The flames of Cotopaxi, the most fam- 

 ous of the volcanoes, have been known 

 to rise three thousand feet above the top 

 of the mountain, and its frightful roar is 

 heard a hundred and fifty miles distant ! 



Nothing can be more dangerous than 

 the neighbourhood of these volcanoes. 

 Under ground are stores of hidden fire, 

 and elements of mischief that break out 

 with violence. 



The inhabitants are always in danger 

 of earthquakes. Then the scene baflles 



