a single group, which is continued far beyond the equator. In the kingdom of Quito,* the more elevated summits of this group are ranged in two rows, which form a double crest to the Cordillera. The extent of the Andes Mountains is not less than four thousand three hundred miles.

Rocks rich in gems, and mountains big with mines,
That on the high equator ridgy rise,

Whence many a bursting stream auriferous plays.

THOMSON.

In this country the operations of nature appear to have been carried on on a large scale, and with a bolder hand, than elsewhere; and in consequence the whole is distinguished by a peculiar magnificence. Even the plain of Quito, which may be considered as the base of the Andes, is more elevated above the sea than the summits of many European mountains. In different places the Andes rise more than one third above the famous Peak of Teneriffe, the highest land in the ancient hemisphere. Their cloudenveloped summits, though exposed to the rays of the sun in the torrid zone, are covered with eternal snows, and below them the storm is seen to burst, and the exploring traveller hears the thunder roll, and sees the lightnings dart beneath his feet.

Throughout the whole of the range of these extensive mountains, as far as they have been explored, there is a certain boundary, above which the snow never melts, which boundary, in the torrid zone, has been ascertained to be 14,600 feet, or nearly three miles, above the level of the South Sea.

The ascent to the plain of Quito, on which stands Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Pichincha, &c. is thus described by Don Juan de Ulloa :

"The ruggedness of the road from Taraguaga, leading up the mountain, is not easily described. The declivity is so great, in some parts, that the mules can scarcely keep their footing; and, in others, the acclivity is equally difficult. The trouble of sending people before to mend the road, the pain arising from the many falls and bruises, and

*Pronounced Que-to, the i in all European languages being sounded as an e.

the being constantly wet to the skin, might be supported; but these inconveniences are augmented by the 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 of their feet. On one side of the rider, in this situation, rises an eminence of many hundred yards; and, on the other, is an abyss of equal depth; so that, if he should give the least check to his mule, and destroy the equilibrium, both must inevitably perish.

"Having travelled nine days in this manner, slowly winding along the sides of the 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 advantages of perpetual spring; the fields being constantly covered with verdure, and enamelled with flowers of the most lively colours. However, although this beautiful region is more elevated than any other country in the world, and it employs so many days of painful journey in the ascent, it is itself overlooked by tremendous mountains; their sides being covered with snow, while their summits are flaming with volcanoes. These mountains seem piled one upon the other, and to rise with great boldness to an astonishing height. However, at a determined point above 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. Towards the 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 bare of vegetation, and seems covered with eternal snow. The most remarkable of the Andes are the mountains of Chim-borazo, Cotopaxi, and Pichincha."

CHIMBORAZO,

THE MOST LOFTY OF THE ANDES.

[See Plate, No. 4.]

THIS is the most majestic of the Andes, and has a circular summit, 22,000 feet, or above four miles high. On the shores of the South Sea, after the long rains of winter, when the mistiness of the air has suddenly diminished, Chimborazo appears like a cloud in the horizon. It detaches itself from the neighbouring summits, and raises its lofty head over the whole chain of the Andes. Travellers who have approached the summits of Mont Blanc and Mont Rose, are alone capable of feeling the effect of such vast, majestic, and solemn scenery.

The bulk of Chimborazo is so enormous, that the part which the eye embraces at once, near the limit of the snows, is 22,968 feet, or four miles and a third in breadth. The extreme rarity of the strata of air, across which the summits of the Andes are seen, contributes greatly to the splendour of the snow, and the magical effect of its reflection. Under the tropics, at a height of 16,400 feet, upwards of three miles, the azure vault of the heavens appears of an indigo tint; while, in so pure and transparent an atmosphere, the outlines of the mountains detach themselves from the sky, and produce an effect at once sublime, awful, and profoundly impressive.

With the exception of the newly-discovered Asiatic mountains, Chimborazo is the highest known mountain in the world. Humboldt, Bonpland, and Montufar, were persevering enough to approach within 1600 feet of the summit of this mighty king of mountains. Being aided in their ascent by a train of volcanic rocks, destitute of snow, they thus attained the amazing height of nearly four miles above the level of the sea; and the former of these naturalists is persuaded that they might have reached the highest summit, had it not been for the intervention of a great crevice, or gap, which they were unable to cross. They were, therefore, obliged to descend, after experiencing great inconveniences, and many unpleasant sensations. For three or four days, even after their return into the plain, they were not free from sickness, and an uncomfortable feeling, owing, as they suppose, to the vast proportion