60 
telloides, several elegant Andromede and 
Alstramerie ; and towards the base, a 
variety of beautiful Orchidee, indicative 
of a moist and genial climate. Our time 
was too limited to make so abundant a 
collection as the situation afforded ; but it 
is frequently the traveller’s fate, in these 
countries, to be hurried over the most 
interesting spots, and to be tediously 
delayed, where nothing compensates the 
delay. 
It is a common observation among the 
inhabitants, that Tungaragua would be 
higher than Chimborazo, were it placed on 
an equal elevation; and, this is true, if we 
look not to the mass of the Cordillera, but 
to the cone which rising above the sur- 
rounding country constitutes each particu- 
lar mountain. Tungaragua is the only one 
whose base is in a warm climate, while its 
peak rises above the level of perpetual 
congelation, 
à : Feet. 
Its total elevation is, according to 
the Academicians............ 16,74 
Height above the bridge of Casua, 9,842 
Height of Cotopaxi above the plain 
Wiss et oo a dus 8,768 
Height of Chimborazo above the 
plains of Sariancaxas ......... 414 
The base of the cone of Tungaragua 
figure is consequently sharper, 
sides, at least towards the summit, steeper. 
The aperture of the crater is distinctly 
visible from the valley of Baños, and the 
surrounding country. It is sometimes filled 
with snow, which at others is melted away, 
probably by the internal heat. It is said 
to be approachable by ascending the val- 
ley of Puela, and the Paramo of Minza, 
on mw south-eastern slope; but the road 
as so difficult and tedious, 
Pun we could not resolve on the expe- 
dition; the less so, as the volcano was at 
this time. postive, though its resemblance 
EXCURSIONS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF QUITO. 
The analogy betwixt volcano and chim- 
ney, is very apt to strike the most careless 
observer of a volcanic country; yet we 
naturally ask the question, why the impri- 
soned gases, or whatever be the agents of 
volcanic eruption, should prefer seeking i 
an exit, where the resistance is greatest— : 
rather through the loftiest mountain sum- 
mits, than through the vallies or places 
below? Taking this view of the case, the 
chimnies seem rather the product than the 
spiracula of volcanos. How much of the 
Andes may thus have been upheaved, 
must be one of the most curious specula- - 
tions in Geology, upon which it is pro- - 
bable, the interesting speculations of M. 
Boussingault, directed especially to the — 
nature and history of South American vol- - 
canos, may throw some light, at least as 
much as science can shed on researches - 
almost beyond human means of knowledge. | 
December 6th. We left Puela, crossing - 
a river of the same name, close to the . 
hamlet, by a bridge of bejucos, or rush — 
ups suspended from side to side by 
eans of beams driven into the banks. © 
These swing-bridges, invented by the In- - 
cas, are in use on such rapid mountain- - 
streams, as by the variations to which they 
are liable, render bridges of a more solid - 
construction often impassable. They have, | 
however, the defect of serving only for. 
foot-passengers, the consequence of which - 
is, that the saddles and baggage of mounted - 
travellers must be unloaded, and the cattle — 
made to swim the river, which is always 
a tedious task, and when the floods are 
drowned by the current. | 
occasion, we merely sat by the river side, — 
while the business was managed by our - 
suite, and talked of a formation of mica- — 
ceous schistus, which Humboldt describes _ 
at this spot, and which we could not dis- . 
cover; though blocks of it appear at the — 
Falls of Aqajan, and also on the road be- - 
twixt Puela and Penipe. x 
About two miles from Puela, on the | 
opposite side of the river, is the village of 
Guanando, which produces the greater . 
