ARRIVAL AT TENJA. 301 



the groves, which flourished there, and ex- 

 tended a considerable distance along the 

 mountain. 



The change of climate was here very evi- 

 dent, the thermometer being at 78°, that is, 

 from twelve to fourteen degrees hotter than 

 in Bogota, which is scarcely a six or eight 

 hours' ride distant. The road along this 

 ridge was excessively bad, and so complete- 

 ly cut up, that the baggage-mules frequently 

 stick fast, and are obliged to be unladen be- 

 fore they can be extricated from the mire 

 and deep ruts. There is much traffic by 

 this route to the capital ; but, owing to the 

 drained and exhausted funds of the treasury, 

 no money can be yet spared to put the roads 

 in proper order, and render them convenient 

 for travelling. 



At four p. M. I arrived at the small village 

 of Tenja, where I stopped to rest my mule, 



