86 CORA SHEAR-TAIL HUMMING-BIRD. 



with many dangers and trials worse than 

 these. 



Here are precipices of a frightful de- 

 scription, and glaciers, and avalanches ; 

 and, indeed, all the risks and perils of an 

 Alpine country. 



Sometimes the valley traversed is barely 

 wide enough to allow the travellers to 

 pass. It might be called a narrow cleft 

 between two perpendicular rocks, that 

 here and there nearly touch each other. 



Masses of half-loosened rock threaten 

 to fall from the sides of the precipice every 

 moment. Nay, such a thing often takes 

 place, and mules, and even travellers, will 

 be swept into the abyss. 



On these mountains, part of the grand 

 range of the Cordilleras, people are seized 

 with fainting, and a malady like sea-sick- 

 ness. The height above the level of the 

 sea is ten thousand feet. 



