MOUNT.UUS. 
and the being constantly wet to the skin, might be sup- 
jwrtedj but these inconveniences are augmented by tlia 
sight of such frightful precipices, and deep abysses, as 
excite constant terror. The road, in some places, is so 
steep, and yet so narrow, that the mules are obliged to 
slide down, without making any use whatever ot theh 
feet. On one side of the rider, in this situation, rises an 
eminence of many hundred yards ; and, on tire other, is 
an abyss of equal depth ; so that, if he should give the 
least check to his mule, and destroy tlie equilibrium, both 
must inevitably perish. 
“ Having travelled nine days m this manner, slowly 
winding along the sides of tlie mountains, we began to find 
the whole country covered with a hoar-frost ; and a hut, 
in which we reposed, had ice in it. At length, after a 
perilous journey of fifteen days, we arrived upon a plain, 
at the extremity of which stands the city of Quito, the 
capital of one of the most charming regions in the world. 
Here, in the centre of the torrid zone, the heat is not only 
very tolerable, but, in some places, the cold is even painful. 
Here the inhabitants enjoy the temperature and advan- 
tages of perpetual spring ; the fields being constantly co- 
vered with verdure, and enamelled with flowers of the 
most lively colours. However, although this beautiful 
region is more elevated tlran any other country In the 
world, and it employs so many days of painful journey in 
the ascent, it is itself overlooked by tremendous moun- 
tains ; ^ their sides being covered with snow, while their 
suniuiits are flaming with vol^.auocs. These mountahis- 
seem piled one up(m the othe. , and to rise with great 
boldness to an astonishing height. However, at a deter- 
mined point al)ovc the surface of the sea, the congelation 
is found at the same height in all the mountains. Those 
parts which are not subject to a continual frost, have here 
and there growing upon them a species of rush, resembling 
the broom, but much softer and more flexible. Howards 
tlie extremity of the part where the rush grows, and the 
cold begins to increase, is found a vegetable with a round 
bulbous head. Higher still, the earth is hare of vegetatio.i, 
and seems covered witii eternal snow. The most remark- 
able of tlie Andes are the mountains of Ciumborazo., 
Cotopaxi, and Pichincha.” 
Ba 
