A _ Meteorological Observations made in 
On the elevated plains we find the showers more or less sudden z 
and violent, according to localities which give rise to a mixture — 
of currents more or less variably heated. Quito, for example, is 
situated on what may be called a ledge of the lofty mountain of 
Pichincha, aud overlooks the valley of Chillo of Guaillapamba, 
furrowing the adjacent table land, on which the thermometer of 
ten rises to 8U° in the shade. The encounter of portions of the 
atmosphere, thus variously heated, produces showers as sudden 
aud heavy as those which geuerally distinguish tropical climates. 
On the slopes of the Cordillera the rains are generally violent for 
the same reason. Looking to the hygrometrical state of the at- 
mosphere, as it results from observations made on the table lands 
of the equator and the coast of the Pacific, we find it to vary 
from 0° in the damp forests of Esmeraldas to 97°-1 on the ele- 
vated plain of Cayambe; the experiments in both places being 
made during June and July, the summer months both of the 
coast and mountains. The average medium for the low lands is 
23°°85 ; for the Cordillera 44°-36 of the hygrometer constructed 
upon ee s principle; but we are in want of sufficient data for 
those elevations which approach to the limit of perpetual snow. 
To judge, however, from a small number of observations made 
on the mountain of Cayambe at 12,705 and 14,217 feet of eleva 
tion, and at the hut of Antisana at 14,520 feet, where the hygro 
meter was found to give 169-5, 13°-9, and 30.°3, it would not — 
seem that the dryness of the atmosphere increases in ratio of the 
elevation ; at least, in the neighborhood of snowy mountains, 
where a continual moisture is exhaled, and heavy mists sweep 
over the soil towards evenings even of the fairest days. 
To estimate the general distribution of temperatures through 
the vast territory of Colombia, we may conveniently consider it 
as divided into five zones. Ist. That of the level, or nearly 8% 
of the ocean. 2nd. That of the small elevations, from 5U0 to 
1,500 feet. 3rd. That of the slopes of the Cordillera, from 2,000 — 
to 7,000 feet. 4th. That of the elevated plains, or table lands, 
from 8,000 to 10,000 feet; and 5th, That of the paramos, from 
11,000 feet to the limit of perpetual snow. 
1. The degree of heat at or near the level of the ocean is mod- 
ified by a variety of local circumstances, which may be ranged 
under the following heads: proximity of the sea; of great rivets 
and lakes ; of lofty ridges of mountains ; of entenbive forests; of 
