heavy gradient.

In the neighborhood of Tigsán connection would be made with

the projected line of the Intercontinental Railway.

Several other lines have been proposed, but no work upon them has been performed. A railroad from Esmeraldas, on the Pacific, to the Capital, one from Bahía to the same point, and one from Machala to the neighborhood of Cuenca and Azogues have been considered as possibilities; but the Southern Railroad is the only one that gives promise of completion. Between its western terminus, at Durán, and Guayaquil, there is steamer connection. Guayaquil is the principal port of Ecuador, and through it flows nearly all the trade with the interior. It is said to have a population of about 70,000.

THE PROPOSED APPROXIMATE PRELIMINARY LOCATION.

Between two and three miles (3.22 and 4.83 kilometers) from Ipiales the line crosses the Río Carchi, entering the Republic of Ecuador through its northernmost Province, that of Carchi, which has a population of about 36,000 souls, and is noted for its stock-raising among the excellent pasture-lands of the Altos, the cultivation of the cereals in the temperate regions, and the production of sugarcane and other subtropical plants in the hot lands of the Chota Valley. Ascending the valley of the Río Jetapal, the line skirts the foot of the slope on which lies the village of Tulcán, having a population of 4,000 inhabitants and an elevation of 9,957 feet above the sea; thence continuing up the same stream, a gradient of over three per cent. is required to ascend the northern declivity of the Nudo de Huaca; a tunnel, one mile in length (1.61 kilometers), piercing the Altos de Boliche at an elevation of 10,750 feet above the sea and 340 feet below the summit, carries the line into the Ibarra Basin. Descending the southern incline of the Nudo de Huaca, the line curves in and out along the slopes, and entering the valley of the Río Chichuacos, crosses the intervening spur to the valley of the Huaca, which is followed for a short distance, thence swerving to the right and hugging the projecting spurs of the nudo, gains the Río Tusa, above Vínculo, descends the stream to its junction with the Huaca, and then the latter, with a steep gradient of nearly three per cent., to the junction with the Chota near Piquinchu. Running down the right bank of the Río Chota to Pusir, where a crossing is made to the left bank, and following the latter through the town of Chota, an elevation of 5,200 feet is touched at a point about 67 miles (107.83 kilometers) from the crossing of the Carchi. Nearing the junction of the Chota and Ambi, the line curves sharply to the left and ascends the left bank of the latter stream to its junction with the Río Toguando, the left bank of which is likewise ascended

past Lake Yaguarcocha and the city of Ibarra, situated at an elevation of 7,530 feet, and at a distance of 80 miles (128.75 kilometers), from the Colombian boundary. Ibarra is the head of the canton of the same name and capital of the Province of Imbabura, which contains 68,000 people. Ibarra is a pretty little town, was founded in 1606, and has a population of about 5,000 inhabitants. It has well laid out streets and some fine buildings, and is surrounded by handsome gardens. The principal products of the Province of Imbabura are the cereals, sugar-cane, and cotton; cattle-raising, and textile and salt industries, also receive attention.

Continuing up the Toguando, past Cochicaranqui, a steep gradient carries the location to the Pecillo Summit of the Nudo de Cajas, which is crossed, without a tunnel, at an elevation of 10,345 feet and at a point about 101 miles (162.54 kilometers) from the commencement at the Colombian line. From the brief description given above, it will be seen that the line has risen, since leaving the Chota Valley, 5,145 feet in a distance of 34 miles (54.72 kilometers).

Descending the southern slopes of the Nudo de Cajas, the basin of Quito is entered, and by taking advantage of the Río San José, whose left bank is followed, an easy descent is obtained to near the village of Cayambe, population about 3,000, whence a sudden turn to the left carries the location through that village to the upper valley of one of the tributaries of the Río Pisque, and descending on easy gradients via Otón, Quinche and Chilpe, Yaruquí is reached; thence crossing almost perpendicularly several spurs with their intervening quebradas, the line, passing through Puembo and Tumbaco, attains and crosses the Río San Pedro and swerving to the left, rounds the abrupt spur projecting into the space enclosed near Cumbaya by the San Pedro and Machángara, then ascends the left bank of the latter stream until opposite Quito, when the river is crossed and the Capital, standing at an elevation of 9,350 feet, reached at a distance of 159 miles (255.88 kilometers) from the frontier.

Quito is the head of the canton of the same name, the Capital of the Province of Pichincha as well as of the Republic, having been the ancient Capital of the Shiris and Incas. The Province of Pichincha is said to have a population of about 205,000 inhabitants, its principal industries being agriculture and stock-raising; has an active trade with the other provinces, and thus employs many men as packers. Quito is picturesquely situated among high hills and grand mountains; its streets are, as a rule, straight and the principal ones broad and paved. It contains many fine buildings, a number of plazas, enjoys a delightful climate, and has a population estimated by various authorities at from 80,000 to 40,000 souls.

The cost for grading, masonry and bridges between the Río Carchi and Quito is estimated at $5,117,598, or $32,186 per mile (about $20,000 per kilometer). Should it be decided to serve the Capital by a loop or branch-line, the natural location for the trunk-line would be up the Río San Pedro and the Río Machache, until connection be made with the line as located by Corps No. 3 at a point south of Tambillo and some 19 miles (30.58 kilometers) from Quito.

Starting afresh at Quito, the approximate preliminary proposed by Corps No. 3 for an intercontinental trunk-line crosses the Río Machángara immediately opposite the Capital, and turning sharply to the right, ascends the right bank of the stream on comparatively easy grades to a summit at Loma de Santa Rosa near Turubamba, about 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) from Quito, the altitude attained being 9,967 feet; thence a sharp turn to the left is made down one of the tributaries of the Río Machache; turning to the right, the valley of the latter stream is ascended by the left bank, the gradient from Loma de Santa Rosa to near Tambillo being greater in some places than three per cent.; and after a short distance on the level, ascent is made past the town of Machache, with its 8,000 souls, to the Río Chichinche, which is crossed at a point about 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) from the start. A steady rise, which on one stretch requires the maximum gradient of four per cent., brings the line to Tiupullo Summit, which is crossed, without a tunnel, at an elevation of 11,526 feet above the sea, 14 feet below the crest, 35 miles (56.33 kilometers) from Quito and 194 miles (312.21 kilometers) from the Río Carchi. A steep gradient for a short distance, attaining at times the maximum limit allowed, carries the line down the southern slope of the Nudo de Tiupullo into the Ambato Basin; and proceeding past Chasqui, 40 miles (64.37 kilometers) from Quito, the headwaters of the Río Catoche are reached, and the line then descends its right bank, with long tangents, to the town of Latacunga, 58 miles (93.34 kilometers) from Quito, elevation 9,177 feet. Latacunga is the capital of the Province of León and the head of the canton in which it lies. It contains about 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants. The houses are mostly constructed of pumiceThe Province of León has an approximate population of 110,000 people, its principal industries being agriculture, stock-raising, weaving, and the production of sugar-cane.

stone.

Descending the Catoche and crossing numerous tributaries thereof, the line continues in a fairly direct course and on nearly level ground, past San Miguel to Ambato, distant 80 miles (128.75 kilometers), the river of the same name being crossed just before reaching the outskirts of the town, a high trestle here being necessary, the stream crossing having an elevation of 8,500 feet above the sea.

The work between Quito and Ambato is quite light, and including the expense of spanning the Río Ambato, the cost for grading, masonry and bridges has been estimated at $1,466,267, or $18,328 per mile ($11,389 per kilometer).

Ambato is the capital of the Province of Tunguragua, and the head of the canton. The population of the city and its neighborhood has been estimated as high as 18,000. The climate is mild, and in the suburbs are many handsome gardens and residences. The Province of Tunguragua has a population of about 103,000 souls, the principal industries being agriculture, stock-raising, viniculture and packing.

Leaving Ambato, the line winds in and out over the projecting spurs and intervening ravines of the Western Cordillera via Mocha, a steep gradient being required to carry it to a crossing of the Nudo de Sanancajas, connecting the spurs of Chimborazo with those of Igualata, the summit being attained, without a tunnel, at an elevation of 12,000 feet, and at a distance of 102 miles (164.15 kilometers) from Quito; a rise of 3,500 feet being necessary, since crossing the Río Ambato, in a distance of 22 miles (35.41 kilometers), the gradient, at certain points, requiring the maximum of four per cent.

Descending the southern declivity of the Nudo de Sanancajas, the Province of Chimborazo is entered. This contains a population of 122,000 inhabitants, its industries being the same as those of its nearest northern neighbors and in addition includes that of the extraction of quinine. The capital is Riobamba, which lies to the east of the location, on a sandy plain, and has a population of about 12,000 souls. Its streets are straight and broad, but the houses are low. In addition to the cathedral, there are six churches.

Passing by Chuquipogio, the drainage is crossed at right angles, the principal stream encountered being the Río San Juan and its tributaries, which are followed to the neighborhood of Cajabamba, 4,000 inhabitants, 119 miles (191.51 kilometers) from Quito, elevation 10,715 feet; thence passing by Lago de Colta, 10,998 feet above the sea, the Río Columbe is reached and a course along its right bank pursued via the town of the same name to near Guamote, 8,000 souls, 137 miles (220.48 kilometers) from Quito, the line here having an elevation of 10,300 feet, or about 220 feet above the level of the town; next ascending the left bank of the Río Guamote by easy gradients, the line soon reaches the Nudo de Tiocajas at an elevation of 10,813 feet, about 146 miles (234.96 kilometers) from Quito, thence attaining the headwaters of the Río Alausi near Palmira, this stream is rapidly descended on heavy grades past Tigsán, 1,500 people, to Alausi, a town of nearly 4,000 inhabitants, enjoying a mild and healthful climate and having a picturesque

situation. The line then crosses the Río Achupallas at an elevation of 7,900 feet, 165 miles (265.54 kilometers) from Quito. About five miles (8.05 kilometers) to the southeast of Alausi lies the town of Sibambe, often mentioned on account of being the terminus of the railroad from Guayaquil via Chimbo to the interandean plateau, the road being in operation as far as the bridge of Chimbo and the roadbed constructing between that point and Sibambe. At the time of writing these lines, proposals are being submitted for the completion of the railway as far as Quito.

Thence proceeding southwestwardly, the town of Chunchi, 2,500 souls, is reached seven miles (11.27 kilometers) further, elevation 7,632 feet; then, by a very crooked development and mostly on maximum gradients, ascent is made to the summit at Nudo del Azuay, which is crossed, without a tunnel, at an elevation of 11,160 feet, 196 miles (315.43 kilometers) from the start, the line having ascended, since leaving Chunchi, 3,528 feet in 24 miles (38.62 kilometers).

Entrance is next made into the Province of Cañar, by a descent into the basin of that name. This Province has a population of 64,000 inhabitants, is essentially mountainous, and includes the small interandean basin bearing the same name. Its principal industries are agriculture and stock-raising, with a little mining. The village of Cañar lies some miles to the right of the line, has a population of about 5,000, is surrounded by fertile lands, but owing to its elevation (10,368 feet) has a rather cold climate. About two leagues to the east are situated the handsome remains of an Inca castle, called Inca-pirca.

The principal reaches of the Río Cañar are ascended for some distance and afford access to the Nudo de Curiquinga, the summit of which is passed, without a tunnel, at an elevation of 10,888 feet, distant 214 miles (344.40 kilometers) from Quito. Descent is now made, with steep gradients, via Biblián to near the town of Azogues, the capital of the Province of Cañar, and containing in its immediate neighborhood about 6,000 souls. In this vicinity are found the ancient quicksilvermines which gave the name to the place. These seem to be exhausted. The valley of the Río Azogues affords comparatively easy gradients to near its junction with the Gualuabamba, and the latter similar ones to the city of Cuenca, 247 miles (397.51 kilometers) from Quito. The suburbs are touched at the crossing of the Río Matadero, elevation 8,500 feet. It is to be observed that the junction of the Azogues and Gualuabamba rivers forms the Paute, which drains this basin, and piercing the Oriental Cordillera, reaches the Marañón at a point about 70 miles (112.65 kilometers) below Jaén.

The cost for grading, masonry and bridges between Ambato and Cuenca, a