CHAP. XII. COLPODES. 237 



including three species of Colpodes which were obtained only at 

 this locality. We had already obtained members of this genus 

 at great heights on several other mountains, and on Pichincha 

 had been struck by the fact that they existed in considerable 

 numbers amongst frozen soil. The two which have been named 

 by Mr. Bates C. megaceplialiis and C. PichinchcB came from 

 Guagua-Pichincha, the former from the summit-ridge (at 15, GOO 

 feet), and the latter from the second camp (14,992 feet). In 

 each case they were discovered whilst breaking out rock speci- 

 mens, and were found in colonies, thriving amongst stones which 

 were cemented together with ice. Some species of Colpodes come 

 from more genial zones, but the larger part of those we obtained 

 enjoyed life under very frigid conditions. The minima of the 

 four nights Ap. 2-Ap. 5 inclusive, were 27°, 31°, 24° -5, and 24° 

 Faht. respectively, degrees of cold sufficient to hard freeze the 

 surface of the soil ; which, further, was usually covered with snow 

 in the morning. 



The scouts returned, bringing a good report ; declaring that 

 they had found a regular palace — an old Indian diwoilmg, jjlanted 

 all round ivith shrubs — which would permit the tents to be 

 dispensed with ; and we broke up camp on the 6th, to go to 

 this wonderful place, expecting they had either dropped upon 

 an edifice of prehistoric age, or on some relic of the dusky Incas. 



CHARMS ? 



