RIO VINAGRE. 



285 



where platina is found among rolled fragments of 

 basalt, greenstone, and fossil wood. 



They then went up by Caloto and the mines of 

 Quilichao to Popayan, which is situated at the base 

 of the snowy mountains of Purace and Sotara. This 

 city, the capital of New-Grenada, stands in the beau- 

 tiful valley of the Rio Cauca, at an elevation of 5906 

 feet above the sea, and enjoys a delicious climate. 

 On the ascent from Popayan towards the summit of 

 the volcano of Purace, at a height of 8694 feet, is a 

 small plain inhabited by Indians, and cultivated with 

 the greatest care. It is bounded by two ravines, on 

 the brink of which is placed a village of the same 

 name. The gardens, which are enclosed with hedges 

 of euphorbium, are watered by the springs that issue 

 abundantly from the porphyritic rock ; and nothing 

 can be more agreeable than the contrast between the 

 beautiful verdure of this plain and the chain of dark 

 mountains surrounding the volcano. The hamlet of 

 Purace, which the travellers visited in November, 

 1801, is celebrated for the fine cataracts of the Rio 

 Vinagre, the waters of which are acid. This little 

 river is warm towards its source, and after forming 

 three falls, one of which is 394 feet in height and is 

 exceedingly picturesque, joins the Rio Cauca, which 

 for 14 miles below the junction is destitute of fish. 

 The crater of the volcano is filled with boiling water, 

 which, amid frightful noises, emits vapours of sul- 

 phuretted hydrogen. 



The travellers then crossed the precipitous Cordil- 

 leras of Almaquer to Pasto, avoiding the infected and 

 contagious atmosphere of the valley of Patia. From 

 the latter town, which is situated at the foot of a 

 burning volcano, they traversed the elevated plat- 

 form of the province of Los Pastos, celebrated for its 

 great fertility; and after a journey of four months, 

 performed on mules, arrived at Quito on the 6th Jan- 

 uary, 1802. 



The climate of this province is remarkably agree- 



