112 TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES. chap. v. 



a beetle, a bug, and some spiders. Several species of flies were 

 seen on the ridge, but I only succeeded in capturing one. The 

 earthworm was about an inch long, and in an immature condition. 

 Prof. W. B. Benham has referred it to the genus Rhinodrilus of 

 Perrier, and thinks it is probably the same species that was sub- 

 sequently found upon Cayambe, which he names R. Ecuador iensis} 

 Few earthworms were seen at great elevations in Ecuador, and 

 the summit of Corazon was much the highest point at which one 

 was obtained. The beetle is found by Mr. Bates to belong to 

 the genus Colpodes, and is described by him at p. 20 of the 

 Supplementary Appendix [G. diopsis). It was also taken on 

 Pichincha. 



The scantiness of the collection on the summit of Corazon is 

 to be attributed to the hailstorms which occurred while we were 

 there. Rain, sleet, hail, or snow often impeded or completely 

 put a stop to this description of work. When the atmospheric 

 conditions were favourable something was always obtained, wher- 

 ever we went ; and at the greatest heights I laid hands upon 

 everything that was seen, either animal or vegetable, anticipating 

 that the zoological side, at least, would yield much new to science.^ 

 Whether this should or should not prove to be the case, the occa- 

 sions afforded opportunities of contributing to the knowledge of 

 the range of species in altitude. The results, so far as they have 

 been worked out, are presented in the Supplementary Appendix^ 

 and in the Tables in Chapter XIX. the representatives of the 

 various Orders are enumerated which were obtained at the most 

 considerable elevations. 



By the expression range in altitude I mean the difference in 

 level of the highest and lowest points at which any particular 



1 See Chapter XII. This is the fourth species that has been found of the genus 

 Rhinodrilun. The three others came from Venezuela, Surinam, and Demerara. 



2 The Botany of the interior of Ecuador had been investigated by the late Prof. 

 William Jameson, who resided many years at Quito, and made excursions in its 

 neighbourhood. For some time he held two appointments in the capital. Being 

 a Professor of Botany, he was made, very appropriately, Master of the Mint. 



