of an Orchid Hunter. 173 



the Andes shelve down to the water's edge, and the 

 towering peaks of the central range form the line 

 of the horizon. Sunset here is a glorious sight ; 

 the coloured rays of light seem to rush down the 



ta n a ,x 



ON LAKE SIMITI. 



mountain-side and gild the waters of the lake, some- 

 times creatine a sort of mirage in which the forests 

 of the Andes are represented with crowns of active 

 volcanoes. About four hours' paddling in the canoe 

 brought us to the village. This is at present but 

 a miserable collection of mud huts. In the time of 

 the Spaniards it was a rich and thickly populated 



