Chap. XIII. CLIMATE OF SANDIA. 225 



very doubtful. I here laid in a stock of bread to last for 

 about a month, which was toasted in the oven belonging to 

 the cura, the only one in the place, and which, together with 

 some chocolate and cheese, formed the provisions for myself 

 and the gardener. I then persuaded the judge to order 

 the alcaldes of four of the ayllus to procure four Indians and 

 two cargo-mules, the Indians to bring their own provisions 

 with them, for which I advanced them money. After consider- 

 able delays my little expedition was ready to start, consisting 

 of myself, Mr. Weir the gardener, Pablo Sevallos the mestizo, 

 four Indians, and two mules. The supplies and provisions 

 were packed in six leathern bags, containing tea and sugar, 

 chocolate, toasted bread, cheese, candles, concentrated beef- 

 tea, changes of clothes, instruments, powder and shot, besides 

 a tent, an air-bed, gutta-percha robes, ponchos, a wood-knife 

 and trowel, and maize and salt meat for Pablo and the In- 

 dians. It took several days to complete these preparations. 



The climate of Sandia, at this time of the year, is exceed- 

 ingly agreeable, the days being fine and clear until late in 

 the afternoon, and not too hot. The prevailing wind blows 

 up the ravine from the north-east, being the trade which 

 comes across the vast forest-covered plains of the interior. 

 It is this warm trade-wind which jDroduces a much milder 

 climate and more tropical vegetation in Cuyo-cuyo than in 

 Arequipa, though the former place is three thousand feet 

 liigher than the latter. In Sandia, just after sunset, it feels 

 rather chilly, and during the middle of the day the sun is ex- 

 ceedingly hot. Light clouds generally hang about the highest 

 peaks. The variety of most beautiful and graceful ferns on 

 the walls of the houses, and near the banks of the river, is 

 endless. 



I had the satisfaction of seeing, in the house of Don Manuel 

 Mena, before leaving Sandia, a bundle of small branches of 

 the yclm cascarilla (C. Calisayn, var, ^ Josephiana), with 



Q 



