78 
MOUNTAIN 
OF 
ILINISS A, 
PLATE XXXV. 
Among the colossal heights, • which are s6en 
from around the city of Quito, that of Ilinissa is 
one of the most majestic and picturesque. The 
summit of this mountain is divided into two py- 
ramidal points, which, it is probable, were the 
wrecks of a volcano, that has fallen in. Their 
absolute elevation is 2717 toises. The mountain 
of Ilinissa is in the western chain of the Andes, 
in the parallel of the volcano of Cotopaxi ; and 
joins the summit of Ruminnahui by the Alto de 
Tiopullo, which forms a transverse link, whence 
the waters run off toward both the Pacific and 
the Atlantic oceans The pyramids of Ilinissa 
are visible at an enormous distance in the plains, 
which form a part of the province of las Esme- 
/ ^ See abore, page 3. 
