Imagine a
government under which such a scene could be ordered, on such an
occasion, to be typical of their determination of fighting to
death! This state of affairs happened at a time very unfortunately
for me, as I was precluded from taking any excursions much beyond
the limits of the town. The barren island of San Lorenzo, which
forms the harbour, was nearly the only place where one could walk
securely. The upper part, which is upwards of 1000 feet in height,
during this season of the year (winter), comes within the lower
limit of the clouds; and in consequence an abundant cryptogamic
vegetation and a few flowers cover the summit. On the hills near
Lima, at a height but little greater, the ground is carpeted with
moss, and beds of beautiful yellow lilies, called Amancaes. This
indicates a very much greater degree of humidity than at a
corresponding height at Iquique. Proceeding northward of Lima, the
climate becomes damper, till on the banks of the Guayaquil, nearly
under the equator, we find the most luxuriant forests. The change,
however, from the sterile coast of Peru to that fertile land is
described as taking place rather abruptly in the latitude of Cape
Blanco, two degrees south of Guayaquil.
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