38^ 



NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



temperature in degrees Centigrade ; in the fourth, the difference 

 between the observed temperature and 37° C. — that assumed for 

 Guayaquil ; in the fifth, the average number of metres corre- 

 sponding to a fall of 1° C. in rising from the sea-level to the 

 higher station ; in the sixth, the difference between the observed 

 temperatures and that assumed for Quito — 14'4° ; and in the 

 seventh, the average number of metres corresponding to a fall 

 of 1° C. in rising from Quito to the higher station. It is obvious 

 that the more rapid the fall the less will be the number in 

 columns 5 and 7. 



It will at once be seen that the temperatures observed on 

 Antisana, Pichincha, and Sara Urcu were altogether exceptional, 

 probably due to rapid condensation of vapour ; and these may 

 best be excluded from any discussion of the general results. 

 The temperatures noted in the second ascent of Chimborazo 

 were probably below the mean, or at least below the mean for 

 the hours at which most of the other observations were made. 

 But, as opinions may differ on that point, I have also given below 

 the results of comparison with the mean for the two ascents of 

 Chimborazo. For a similar reason I regard the figures for 

 Cotopaxi, where Mr. Whymper remained for twenty-six hours 

 on the summit, as giving too low a temperature, while that 



