214 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS, 



instance, the effect of the tropical heat, which in the South 

 Sea Islands produces such luxuriance, is so neutralized by 

 poverty of soil and want of moisture, that " the vegetation 

 is the most miserable that can be imagined ; a very few 

 Palms, some Acacias and tropical fruit-trees are the only 

 signs which betray the position of the country." 



Yet, even at the height of 12,700 feet above the sea, on 

 the Andes of Southern Peru, Meyen tells us of the fertility 

 of the soil, and the perpetual spring which reigns in the ex- 

 tensive table-land of Chuquito, around the mountain-lake 

 of Titicaca ; and he speaks of maize being cultivated at the 

 height of 12,800 feet, in an island of the same name, which 

 is situated on the lake : the celebrated Temple of the Sun 

 stood in this island, and an offering of some of 'the maize 

 grown on it used to be made there by the Incas to their 

 deity. The country which surrounds this lake is thickly 

 peopled, " a great number of magnificent towns having been 

 built at this immense height." Wood however is wanting 

 there, and Meyen speculates as to the importance of finding 

 the average temperature, with a view to ascertain what trees 

 might be introduced ; and thinks it may be considered cer- 

 tain, from observations which he and others have already 

 made, " that the .Fir, as well as the Birch and Alder, would 



