CHAP. VII. 



THE APPROACH TO COTOPAXI. 



137 



more and more sterile and desolate as we approached the mount- 

 ain, and presently entered on the plain of Limpiopongo, the 

 divide of the waters of the Pita and Ciituchi — a nearly level 

 expanse, several miles across. I found here, in great numbers, 

 a rather large beetle belonging to the same tribe as our cock- 



V\A\ 



COTOPAXI FROM THE FIRST CAMI 



chafer, of a species which proves to be new to science, and appears 

 to Mr. H. W. Bates so different from known forms as to warrant 

 the erection of a new genus {Leucopelma) for its reception.^ L. 

 alhescejis apparently tries to stand on its head. I saw multitudes 

 of them in this interesting position ; many more fallen on their 

 backs kicking about, unable to regain their feet ; and many others 



' For description and figure see Supplementary Appendix, p. 30. 



