31G 
MOraiAlN BASINS. 
knots of mountains. We distinguisli nine of tliose knots, 
and consequently an equal number of branching-points and 
rdmifications._ The latter are generally bifurcations. The 
Andies are twice only divided into three cliains; in the knot 
f t|'e Amazon, and tlie Hual- 
P the source of the IMagdalena and the 
wXtiie ‘^-’^treniities, paraUel 
ai d two kter^l ^f^^^^^dlera and bounded by twd knots 
and two lateral chains, are characteristic features of the 
structure ot the Andes. Among these knots of mountains 
some, for instance those of Cuzco, Lo.xa, and Los Pastos 
comprise 3300, 1500, and 1130 squa;e leagues, whde othei 
uo less important m the eye of the geologist are confined 
to rulges or transversal dykes. To “the latter belong tS 
tht 2“ 20^ south), and the Los Eobles 
k m; Jp ^ “I'ld Popavan. The 
knot ot Cuzco, so celebrated in the annals of ‘Peruvian 
civilization, presents an average height of from 1200 to 1400 
toises, and a surface nearly three times o-reater than the 
.-hole cf S,viteorh„i ll.e-ridg. „f Chi.i.rchTShch Ua! 
rates the basins of racutiga and Quito, is 1580 toises high, 
but scarcely a mile broad. The knots or groups which unite 
ifthe r'l tlie liighest summits, either 
’ 7i ^he great mountain 
ff nltn * ‘^onti'ient; it is not even certain that there 
IS always in those knots a widening of the chain. The 
greatness ot the mass, and the height so long attributed to 
ndl/ if® considerable branches issue, was 
The ideas or on false measures. 
1 he Cordilleras were compared to rivers that swell as they 
receive a number of tributary streams. ^ 
Among the basins which' the Andes present, and which 
'ifrif lakes or small inland seas, those of 
liticaca, Eio Jauja, and the Upper Maranon, comiirise re- 
spectively 3500, 1300, aud 2400 square leagues of surface.* 
* * •lere subjoin some measure.s interesting to geologists Area of the 
Andes from Ticrra del Fuego to the Paramo de laf Rols (I’at. 9p north)! 
the c!)!dniTraffn‘’“l ®urqaesimeto begins, part of 
degrffhffm.! . 7r 58,900 square leagL, (20 to a 
degree) I he four spurs of Cordova, Salta, -Cochabamba, and Beni alone. 
