300 



TRAVELS AMONGST THE GREAT ANDES, chap. xvr. 



of walking three miles without a greater difference than three 

 seconds between any of the miles. Nevertheless it can be done, 

 and by constant observation one may guess the rate, without 

 reference to a Avatch, within a few seconds. 



In 1879, my habitual pace when walking for exercise and in 

 ordinary dress (not racing in airy costume) was well ascertained. 

 I often walked a number of consecutive miles at about eleven 

 minutes per mile. This was my natural and ordinary rate, and it 

 Avas not necessary to go over a measured mile to learn it. But, in 

 order that it might be verified, before leaving for Ecuador, I walked 

 seven miles on the Lillie Bridge Grounds, Brompton, and had the 

 time per mile noted by two attendants. 



In Ecuador, I looked for the most level piece of road at a 

 considerable elevation, and found nothing more suitable than the 

 Quito road about two miles south of Machachi, where it was per- 

 fectly straight, and slightly descending towards the north. On 

 this I measured a half-mile with Jean-Antoine, and placed the 

 cousins at the two ends as witnesses and timekeepers. The same 

 dress was used as before (ordinary walking dress, and heavy mount- 

 ain boots). I found the time per mile was increased 54 seconds. 

 This will be seen by comparing the statements given below. 







At Lillie Bridge 



Grounds, Brompton, 



Aug. 6, 1879. 



On the Quito Road 



(9925 feet above sea-level), 



June 11, 1880. 





min. 



sec. 



min. sec. 



First Mile . 



. 10 



45 



11 13 



Second ,, 





. 11 







12 32 



TMrd ,, 





. 10 



58 



12 3 



Fourth ,, 





. 10 



59 



12 13 



Fifth „ 





. 11 



14 



12 11 



Sixth „ 





. 11 



18 



11 35 



Seventh,, 





. 11 



11 



. . . 



Total time . 



. 77 



25 



71 47 



Mean rate per mile 



. 11 



4 (nearly) 11 58 (nearly) 



Max. temp, dm-ing walk 



. 67° 



5 Faht. 



60° -5 Faht. 



Min. „ „ 



. 64^-0 „ 



49O-0 „ 



Mean ,, 



It 



. 65° 



75 „ 



54° -75 „ 



Wind 



S.S.W. (force 3-5) gusty S.S.E. (force 3-4) 



