28 THE HILL-STAR HUMMING-BIRD. 



description. The earth reels and groans, 

 trees are torn up by the roots, and rocks 

 are rent into fraofments. Bkie flames 

 issue from the ground, and people and 

 houses, flocks and herds, are involved in 

 destruction. 



The natives of Quito may be said to 

 live in perpetual hazard. But they do 

 not seem to realize the fact. They are a 

 gay, light-hearted race, fond of pleasure, 

 and of revelling in all the delights of 

 their beautiful country. For here, as if 

 to atone for other drawbacks, the fruits 

 of the earth ripen with wonderful rapid- 

 ity. Sowing and reaping are carried on 

 at once. 



There is a mighty peak of the Andes, 

 said by some to be the highest peak in 

 the world. It is not a volcano, but its 

 sides are thickly covered with snow ; and 

 though in the midst of the Tropics, the 



