THE FORESTS OF ALAUSI 229 
days' journey to the forests of Jilimbi and Guanujo 
at the western foot of Chimborazo, but to reach 
them the Paramo de Puenevata (the northern 
shoulder of Chimborazo) has to be passed near the 
snow-hmit, and in the months of July and August 
it snows there almost incessantly, while the winds 
blow with a violence unparalleled even in this windy 
region, frequently hurling away both horse and 
rider, who are either seen no more or their mangled 
remains are found at the foot of some precipice. 
Besides, only one sort of Cinchona was known to 
exist in those forests, whereas by going a few days' 
journey farther to the southward, to the forests 
below Alausi, in the valley of the river Chanchan, I 
might expect to find three sorts, and the road 
thither nowhere ascends above 12,000 feet. So the 
latter plan was finally adopted, and on the 22nd of 
July I sallied forth from the pleasant town of 
Ambato (8500 feet) along the narrow " callejon " 
(lane) which separates the eastern from the western 
branch of the Cordillera. My company comprised 
five horses and mules, one mounted by myself, 
another by my servant, and the remaining three 
laden with my baggage, consisting of drying-paper, 
clothing and bedding, and a copious supply of tea, 
coffee, and sugar — articles rarely to be met with in 
a country where there are no inns, and where the 
inhabitants with few exceptions use no other 
beverage than aguardiente and sour chicha. An 
arriero took charge of the beasts of burden. 
Our first day's stage to Riobamba was a long 
one, 12^ Columbian leagues (about 40 English 
miles). The first five leagues, reaching to the 
village of Mocha, are along a very gradual ascent. 
