328 



THU CORDILLERAS. 



Iii crossing them the traveller finds not a drop of water to 

 quench his raging thirst, nor a blade of grass to feed his 

 weary steed. Among the rocky caverns of those mountain 

 heights the savage Lear has its abode, the mighty condor 

 bikes its flight from their rugged peaks into the blue ether, 

 and the cold-looking llama, the vicuna, and alpaca find ample 

 pasturage. In the lower, the fierce jaguar ranges amidst 



(JAPE IIOKN. 



its forests of graceful palm-trees, the terrible alligator dwells 

 on the banks of its streams, and the anaconda watches for 

 its prey ; while bananas, yams, mandioc, and all the fruits 

 of a tropical clime, attain perfection. This mighty range, 

 however, does not run its length in one distinct line, but 

 separates ; in some parts with deep valleys between them, like 

 that of the 1'uncu of Avisca, while at others there are vast 



