NATURAL HISTORY OF QUITO. 621 
about 10°; and the extremes in a year are 45° and 70°. The mean 
annual fall of rain is 70 inches. 
The region belongs to Sclater’s ‘‘ Neotropical” ; more particu- 
larly, it is the northern part of Schmarda’s subdivision—‘*‘ the 
country of llamas and condors.” When we have full returns, it 
will be interesting to compare life in the Quito Valley with the 
nature and relative proportion of inhabitants in oceanic islands. 
Darwin has pointed out the important lessons which may be 
learned from the natural history of the latter; and the study of 
isolated mountain districts is of nearly equal value. It is cer- 
tainly of interest to ascertain whether the organic productions of 
the Andean Valley, like the endemic forms of the Galapagos Is., 
have a special adaptability for migration. The proportion of spe- 
cies to genera in islands is smaller than in continents ; how in this 
respect does Quito compare with Amazonia? The vertebrates of 
South America are remarkably restricted in their range: does this 
show that the continent has been lately split up into isolated dis- 
tricts? 
MAMMALS. 
Nearly all the quadrupeds seen in the Valley have been intro- 
duced from Europe, as the horse, ass (mule), ox,* goat, sheep 
(two, four and six-horned), hog, dog and cat. The horse, ox 
and dog flourish at the highest inhabited altitude, or 15,300 feet. 
Quito cats are no mousers; dogs are far superior. Six orders 
are represented by the indigenous forms; but the following list of 
species is very incomplete. Years of observation in every part of 
the valley, from Ibarra to Loja, and up to the snow-line are neces- 
sary to finish the work. The largest mammal is the llama, 
always domesticated. The equine and ovine races are fast super- 
seding it. It is usually of a dark brown color; but one of pure 
white is occasionally seen. The llama is not taken, we believe, 
as high up as the Hacienda of Antisana. A deer (Coassus rufus 
F. Cuy.?) occurs particularly about Lake Sn. Pablo at the foot of 
Imbabura. The Tapirus Rouwlini Fisch., possibly visits the vicin- 
ity of Loja; but its proper place is on the eastern slope. 
` carnivores, the only certified examples are the puma which fol- 
*The prevailing colors of the cattle are white mas hren =) have often ob: 
served diag an old -e h resident) 
ored than in England pE S has a blue cast. I have. never seen one that weak 
be called jet black.” po i N of dogs are white or light brown curs. 
