Untitled - The Alfred Russel Wallace Website

XVI RESIDENCE AT TARAPOTO
journeys with mules, but though there are a few
mules there are no roads on which they can be
taken with cargoes. Between Moyobamba and the
must be carried on Indians'
Huallaga all cargoes
backs, and indeed throughout the eastern slope of
the Cordillera the roads rarely admit of any
other mode. The number of Indians is constantly
diminishing, and barely suffices for the ordinary
traffic of the district. I have ridden a few times
across the pampa to the hills, but for longer excur-
sions this mode does not suit. The journey
alluded to at the opening of my letter was to visit
a mountain lying beyond the Mayo, at two days
from Moyobamba and three from Tarapoto. It is
called the Campana, from some fancied resemblance
to a bell, and the road crosses it at about 3500
feet l
(by barometer) above the plain of Tarapoto ;
but there is a peak to northward of the pass rising
a thousand feet higher. It differs notably from
the adjacent mountains by being nearly all pasto,
only the valleys and ravines towards its base being
filled with forest, in which abundance of palms are
conspicuous. The only habitation there is a chacra
on the side next Moyobamba, at 1500 feet below
the pass, and with no other dwelling nearer than ;i
day's journey. Here I established myself with a
stock of paper, and with provisions for three weeks,
which I had taken the necessary precaution l
carrying with me from Tarapoto. My cargoes
loaded five men on the way thither and six on the
return. I have reason to be satisfied with my
success at the Campana, and 1 should probabl)
1
Perhaps 5000 feet ;I!M>VC tin- sea,
below the mouth of the Kin V
I'm I havi