18 Meteorological Observations made in 
(Geo. Pl., p. 152) that a comparison betwixt annual mean tem- 
peratures of Europe and the elevated tropical regions would by 
no means give a correct state of the climate. Thus, though the 
mean temperature of the south of France and of Quito be the 
same, (about 59°) such fruits as peaches, apricots, pears, figs and 
grapes, which ripen in perfection in the former, although abun- 
dantly produced in the latter, never attain their proper size or 
flavor. The reason is, that the temperature is equal throughout — 
the year. There is consequently no period, as in Europe, of 
summer heat sufficient to ripen fruit requiring at this season a 
mean temperature of 65° or 70°. As far, however, as the height 
of 7,000 feet all kinds of fruit are cultivated with success; and 
the markets of the colder country are thus constantly supplied 
from the neighboring valleys or “ calientes.” Humboldt is mis- 
taken in supposing the olive always barren (semper sterilis manet, 
p. 154.) On the Quitenian Andes near Hambato, it produces 
abundantly, though little attention is paid to its cultivation. 
hen we ascend above the extreme limit of cultivation, 
which may be placed at 11,500 feet, and pass the region of the 
Barnadesia, Hyperica, Thibaudia, Gaultheriea, Buddleia, and 
other coriaceous leaved shrubs which, at this elevation, form thick- 
ets of perpetual bloom and verdure, we enter the region of Par- 
amos (13,000 to 15,000 feet) properly so called, which present to 
the eye unvaried deserts clothed with long grass, constituting the 
pasture grounds of the Andes. Humboldt is inclined to fix below 
this region the limit of forest trees; (G'eo. Pl., p. 148) and in 
fact very few are generally met with near this elevation on those 
flanks of the Cordillera which join the inhabited table lands. 
But I have observed on crossing the side of Pichincha, towards 
the uninhabited forests of Esmeraldas, that the forests oceur nearly 
through the whole space which, on the eastern slope, is a naked 
paramo. Is this owing to a difference of climate? Or has the 
practice of burning the paramos, universal in the Andes, together 
with the demand for fire-wood in the vicinity of large towns, con- 
tributed to give this region the bare aspect it has at present? 
Further observations on the mountain slopes towards Maynas ant 
Macas are necessary to throw light on this point. It is certain 
from the present aspect of the inhabited plain of Quito, where 
we meet with a few scattered trees of Arayan (Myrtus) and at- 
tificial plantations of Capuli, (Prunus salicifolia) we should con- 
OO LL ee eee se eel ees 
