Following  the  long  narrow  valley,  many  mountain  streams
are  crossed,  and  the  vegetation  gradually  changes  from  long
grass  to  a  shorter  kind,  while  a  sort  of  woolly  lichen  grows
which  is  said  to  be  good  for  cattle.  A  steep  ascent  is  soon  made
to  fifteen  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  though  the
air  seems  exhilarating,  one  cannot  walk  far  without  getting
out  of  breath  in  consequence  of  the  rarefied  atmosphere.  An
occasional  vicuna  is  to  be  seen  here,  but  they  are  very  shy,  and
it  is  difficult  to  shoot  them.  The  rocks  about  are  stratified
layers  of  granite.  Six  and  a  half  hours'  ride  brings  the  trav-
eller to  Picotani,  where  there  is  a  farm  of  some  twenty  leagues
in  circumference,  capable  of  supporting  seventy  thousand
sheep.  It  never  rains  in  this  locality,  for  the  air  is  so  cold
that  the  moisture  is  precipitated  as  snow.  The  rarefied  air
makes  one  feel  the  cold  even  more  than  the  low  temperature,
while  aside  from  the  great  loss  of  latent  heat  there  is  no  fire
to  warm  up  by.  Butter  of  fine  quality  is  made  in  this  region.
ANDEAN    GRANDEUR.
