Scientific Intelligence. — Statistics. 183 



El Dorado. From the 14th to the 17th degree of latitude, this chain 

 rises almost uninterruptedly above the region of perpetual snow. 

 Several of its peaks surpass twenty thousand English feet, and some 

 of them are the most elevated of all the points of the Cordilleras 

 which have been measured, towering above the gigantic summits of 

 Columbia, Chimborazo, Antisana and Cayambe. 



A remarkable geognostic fact, noticed by M. Pendand, is, that in 

 no part of the volcanic region of the Andesian chain which he tra- 

 versed, either in Peru or Chili, did he find any traces of basalt or 

 pyroxene. Trachytic agglomerations, and trachytes mingled with 

 grains of quartz, are the forms under which are presented the most 

 common masses of volcanic origin. Trachytic pechsteins, obsidians, 

 and other vitrified volcanic products, are very rare. 



The ancient inhabitants were exceedingly prone to ascend the 

 highest elevations, in pursuit of their mining operations, a long time 

 before the conquest of the Spaniards. Many of these artificial ex- 

 cavations are found at the height of sixteen thousand and six hundred 

 English feet. The whole ridge of Potosi has an elevation of sixteen 

 thousand and eighty feet, and yet this mountain is riddled to its sum- 

 mit with pits and gallerie^. 



The highest habitations of man, between the 14th and 18th degrees 

 south latitude, are above fifteen thousand and five hundred feet. 

 Small villages and post houses are found as high as fourteen thou- 

 sand and four hundred feet. 



The following table contains the principal measures, obtained by 

 M. Pentland, of the highest elevations of the Andes. The first two, 

 and probably the third, were ascertained trigonometrically, and the 

 others by means of the barometer. 



Names of places, in Peru and Bolivia. Heights above the sea, g^^^j^ latitude. 



^ ' in English leet. 



Sorata,* (eastern chain,) - 25,200 



Illimani, do. - - - 24,200 



Ridge of Cherquibana, (western chain,) 22,000 



Arequipa, (volcano,) - - 17,780 



Potosi, - - - - 16,080 



Ancomarca, (post house,) - 14,410 



* Chimborazo is twenty one thousand five hundred and twenty seven feet ; Mont 

 Blanc fifteen thousand eight hundred and fifty four. The two highest summits of 

 the Himalaya are twenty eight thousand two hundred and one, and twenty five thou- 

 sand eight hundred and sixty three feet. — (Note by Humboldt.) 



