CHAP. XI. RECURRING SPECIES. 213 



a little pile of stones had evidently been put together by the hand 

 of man. Snow-beds were somewhat numerous in fissures, yet the 

 top of this mountain scarcely touches the snow-line. 



The whole of the summit-ridge had an appearance of age, 

 and bore a large quantity of lichens (^Gyropliora sp., Lecidea sp., 

 and Neuropogon melaxantlius, Nyl.) ; and within fifty feet of the 

 extreme top there was a large plant, with thick, woolly leaves, 

 and a nearly white, pendent, downy flower — I presume, a Culci- 

 tiura — which was one of those that constantly attracted attention 

 by recurrence at particular altitudes.^ It made its appearance 

 whenever we reached the height of 14,000 feet, and was never 

 seen much lower. From its size and prominent characters it 

 was not readily overlooked, and I cannot be far wrong in esti- 

 mating that its range in altitude extends from about 13,500 to 

 16,000 feet above the level of the sea. 



Twenty-one species of Beetles were collected upon Pichincha 

 between the heights of 12,000-15,600 feet, belonging principally 

 to the Carahidm, OtiorrhyncJiidm, and Curculionidcs. The whole 

 are new to science. Some, like the Astylus described by Mr. 

 Gorham, inhabit the interior of Ecuador generally, and attain 

 here the up|)er limit of their range. Their delight is in leaves 

 and branches, and they cease to be seen when arborescent 

 vegetation is left below. Eight species were found 07ily on 

 Pichincha. The remainder were obtained on other mountains, 

 either at similar, or at somewhat higher or lower elevations. 

 Two of these (namely, Helicorrhynclms vulsiis, Ollifi, and Macrops 

 codorum, Olliff)^ were afterwards taken again, one hundred miles 

 away, at 16,000 feet on Chimborazo.^ 



* It was found also within a few feet of the extreme top of Corazon (15,871 

 feet). The specimens that we attempted to preserve turned out badly, and were 

 thrown away. Several clumps of it were growing round about our second camp, 

 and are shewn in the engraving facing page 209. 



2 Figures of these are given in the Supplementary Appendix on the Plate facing 

 page 60, and upon page 72. 



3 Examples of recurring species are mentioned in Chapter XIX. 



