2 MOUNTAINS, 
a sii^le group, Avliich is continued far beyond die equator 
In the kingdom of Quito,* the more elevated summits 
crest to die Lot dillcr.i. I he extent of the Andes Momi- 
taais la not less tliaji tour Uiousaiid tlirec hundred miles. 
Rocks rich in Rcms, mid moiintiiins liig with mines, 
lliat on die liijrli pijiiator ridyv ri-c 
Afiience many n bursting stremn auriferous plays. 
Tiio.mson. 
In Uus_ (Muntry the operations of nahire appear to have 
been carried on un a larger scale, and wilb a bolder hand 
than elsewhere; and m consequence the whole is di.stin- 
guished by a peculiar naagniticence. Even the tilaiu of Quito, 
which may be considered as the base of the Andes, is 
more elevated above the sea than the summits of ni.any 
European mountains. In dillerent places the Andes ri.se 
more tlian one-Uiird above the famous Peak of Tenerifte 
tlie highest land hi the ancient hemisphere Their cloud’ 
enveloped summits, though expo.sed to the rays of the 
sun m the tornd zone, are covered with eternal snows, and 
below them the storm is seen to burst, and the exploring 
traveller hears tlie thunder roll, and sees the lighlnincs dart 
beneath hts feet. . 
Throughout the whole of tlie range of these extensiv'e 
mountains, as far as they have been explored, there Ls a 
cejtain boundary, above which tlie snow .never melts 
which boundary, in tlie torrid zone, has been ascertained 
to be 14,600 feet, or nearly tlwee miles, above tlie level of 
the South Sea. 
The ascent to tlie plain of Quito, on which stand Chim- 
borazo, Cotopaxi, Picliinclia, &c. is thus described by Don 
Juan de Ulloa : ^ 
“ The ruggedness of the road from Taraguao-a leadino- 
up the mountain, is not easily described. The declivity is 
so great, in some parts, that the mules can scarcely keeii 
their footing; and, in otliers, the acclivity is equally- 
difficult. The trouble of sending people before to mend 
the road, the pain arising from the many falls and bniises, 
• Pronounced Qu^-to, the t in all European languages beiiw 
suuuded as au r, ” 
I 
