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THE FORESTS OF ALAUSI 229
days' journey to the forests of Jilimbi and Guanujo
at the western foot of Chimborazo, but to reach
them the Paramo de Puenevata (the northern
shoulder of Chimborazo) has to be passed near the
snow-limit, and in the months of July and August
it snows there almost incessantly, while the winds
blow with a violence unparalleled even in this windy
region, frequently hurling away both horse and
rider, who are either seen no more or their mangled
remains are found at the foot of some precipice.
Besides, only one sort of Cinchona was known to
exist in those forests, whereas by going a few days'
journey farther to the southward, to the forests
below Alausi, in the valley of the river Chanchan, I
might expect to find three sorts, and the road
thither nowhere ascends above 12,000 feet. So the
latter plan was finally adopted, and on the 2 2nd of
July I sallied forth from the Ambato (8500 feet) along the
pleasant town of
narrow " '
callejon
(lane) which separates the eastern from the western
branch of the Cordillera. My company comprised
five horses and mules, one mounted by myself,
another by my servant, and the remaining three
laden with my baggage, consisting of drying-paper,
clothing and bedding, and a copious supply of tea,
coffee, and sugar articles rarely to be met with in
a country where there are no inns, and where the
inhabitants with few exceptions use no other
beverage than aguardiente and sour chicha. An
arriero took charge of the beasts of burden.
Our first day's stage to Riobamba was a long
one, I2r, Columbian leagues (about 40 English
miles). The first five leagues, reaching to the
village of Mocha, are along a very gradual ascent,