4 
SIOUKTAIMS. 
CHIMBORAZO, 
THE MOST LOFTY OF THE ANDES. 
This is the most majestic of the Andes, and has a clrculai 
summit, 22,000 feet, or above four miles high. On llic 
shores of the South Sea, after tlie long Kilns of winter, 
-when the mistiness of the air has suddenly climlni.shed, 
Cliimborazo appears like a cloud in the horizon. It de- 
taches itself fiom the neighbouring^ summits, and raises 
its lofty head over the whole chain ot llie Andes. Iiavel- 
lers who have approached the summits ot Mont Blanc and 
Mont Bose, are alone capable ot feeling tlie effect ot such 
vast, majestic, and solemn scenery. 
The bulk of Chimborazo is so enormous, that the jKirt 
which the eye embraces at once, near the limit ot tlie 
snows, is 22,968 feet, nr four miles and a tiiird in bveadtli. 
B'he extreme rarity ot tlie strata ot air, acro.ss which the sum- 
mits of the Andes ai'e seen, contributes greatly to the splen- 
dour of the snow, and the magical effect of its reflection. 
Under the tropics, at a lieiglit of 1 0,400 feet, upwards of 
three miles, the azure vault of the heavens appears ol an 
indigo tint ; while, in so pine and transpaient an atnurs- 
jfliere, the outlines of the mountains detach themselves 
Irora tire sky, and produce an effect at once sublime, 
awful, and profoundly impressive. 
With the exception of the newh'-discovered Asiatic 
mountains, Chimborazo is the highest known mountain in 
the world. Hnmboldt, Bonpland, and Montuiar, were 
persevering enough to approach within 1 OOO leet ot tlie 
summit of this mighty king of mountains. Being aided in 
their ascent by a train of \olcanic rocks, destitute ot snow, 
tliey tlius attained the amazing height of nearly four nnkisi 
above the level of the sea; and the former o' these natis- 
ralists is persuaded that they might have readied the hlgliest 
summit, had it not been for the intervention of a great 
^a'evice, or gap, which tliey were unable to cross. '1 licy 
were, therefore, obliged to descend, after experleucing 
great inconveniences, and many unpleasant sensatioits. For 
tliree or four days, even after their return into the plain, 
th^ were not free from sickness, and an uncomfoitable 
feeling, owing, as they suppose, to the vast proportion of 
