em Attempt to ascend Chimborazo. 107 



tower above this district, do not give rise to numerous streams. 

 However, the dryness of this plateau is merely superficial ; it is 

 certain that the water of these mountains penetrates the loose 

 earth, and then circulates to a gi'eater or less depth in the inte- 

 rior. The subterranean waterfall of Jana-urcu is a proof of 

 this, and further proofs are afforded by the wells, often very 

 abundant, which are to be seen when descending the deep ra- 

 vines which furrow the alluvial district of this plateau. 



Close to Latacunga, between that town and Cotopaxi, there 

 is a well, which was found a few metres under the surface, 

 during an excavation made in the pumice-conglomerates. It 

 was called Timbo-pollo by the Indians. In reality it is not a 

 well, but a subterranean river ; but the water is constantly re- 

 newed, and even the direction of the stream can be distinctly 

 observed. The temperature of this stream is 18°.8 cent. ; the 

 mean temperature of Latacunga is 15.°5 cent. 



On the 21st December we returned to Rio-Bamba, where I 

 remained a day, in order to finish the observations I had pro- 

 jected. 



On the afternoon of the 23d I left Rio-Bamba, following the 

 route to Guayaquil, where I joined the ship which conveyed 

 me to the coast of Peru. 



In sight of Chimborazo I parted from Colonel Hall, whose 

 confidence and friendship I enjoyed during the whole of my re- 

 sidence in the province of Quito. His accurate knowledge of 

 the localities was of the greatest consequence to me, and I found 

 in him an excellent and indefatigable travelling companion. We 

 had both for a long time served the cause of independence. Our 

 taking leave was affecting : there was something which seemed 

 to say we should never meet again ; and unhappily this mourn- 

 ful presentiment was too well founded. A few months after- 

 wards my unfortunate friend was murdered in the streets of 

 Quito. — Poggendorfs Jnnalen der Physkh und Chemie, 1835, 

 No, 2. 



