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the mountain. Much difficulty was experienced in breathing the 
rarefied atmosphere, and great fatigue in walking, so much so, that it 
was necessary to stop every few steps to rest, and what was sur- 
prising, Mr. Be van and the Indians who accompanied them, appeared 
to be more affected than any of the party. He assured them it was 
the same, even with the Indians born on the spot, showing that 
neither time nor other circumstances can acclimatize a constitution 
to this high region. On reaching the mouth of the mine, they 
saw several emaciated and ghastly-looking Indians seated near the 
entrance ; they descended a few yards into it, but found that their 
time would not admit of the delay necessary to pass down to the 
places where they were at work ; and wishing to pay more attention 
to the interesting region of botany in which they then were, they 
gave up their intention of descending. 
On no part of their journey did they find so many remarkable 
plants as on this mountain; for information respecting these, the 
reader is referred to the Botanical Report. 
Towards the middle of the afternoon they had returned to the hut, 
when they determined to proceed to Banos. Previous to leaving 
Alpamarca, they had some difficulty with their guides, who were 
dissatisfied with their bargain; it therefore required some manage- 
ment to prevent them from deserting altogether, and caused our 
gentlemen some fear lest they might be compelled to return; but 
after much dispute, the guides consented to proceed, although it 
must be allowed that the bargain was far from being advantageous 
to them. 
Along the road to Banos they passed some high ridges, with snow 
and ice coming at times down to the path ; also lakes in deep ravines, 
somewhat resembling small craters, which, like all the rest they had 
seen, were tenanted by numerous water-fowl. 
The crest of the Andes did not appear quite so broad as it was 
found to be four leagues to the southward, but its elevation was 
thought to be greater. The contiguous ranges of snowy peaks, in 
the direction of Pasco, were very striking. The Indians have names 
for all the most remarkable ones, but the Spaniards embrace the 
whole, together with the principal one, under the name of La Vinda. 
From the direction of the descent to the northward and westward, 
they began to suspect they were descending upon the western slope 
of the Cordilleras instead of the eastern ; this proved to be the case, 
which was no small disappointment, as it was their original intention 
