From the crest a marvellous panoramic view was in sight, for we overlooked all the surrounding country. On our left rose the gigantic and majestic peak of Orizava or Citlatepetl--that is, the "mountain of the star"--which rises to 17,372 feet above the sea-level. Lucien thought that this could not really be the same mountain the summit of which he was in the habit of seeing every morning. "It is quite a different shape," he said. "It is not the mountain, but the point from which you look at it, that has changed its appearance," replied Sumichrast. "But it looks much higher," said Lucien. "That is because we are nearer to it. From here we can discern the beautiful forest which surrounds its base as you ascend, the pines growing farther and farther apart, and gradually disappearing altogether. Higher still may be seen the glaciers glittering in the sun; and, last of all, the perpetual snow surrounding the crater, which was visited for the first time in 1847, by M. Doignon, a Frenchman." "Popocatepetl, Istaccihuatl," said l'Encuerado gravely, pointing out the mountains. The two mountains mentioned by the Indian were towering up behind us--a sight that alone repaid for our difficult ascent; we could admire in turn the three loftiest volcanoes in Mexico. "Where is Popocatepetl?" asked Lucien. "There; that enormous cone which rises to our right," I answered, pointing in that direction. "Is it the smallest of the three?" "No; on the contrary, it does not measure less than 18,000 feet in height. Dias Ordas, one of the captains of Fernando Cortez, made its first ascent. Its name signifies 'smoking mountain.'" "Yes; and I know that Istaccihuatl means 'white woman;' but I do not know the height of it." "It is 15,700 feet above the level of the sea." "How can mountains like these be measured?" asked Lucien. "In the first place, by geometrical calculations, and then, by the aid of a barometer, when an ascent has been made. The column of mercury in the instrument falls in proportion as the barometer is carried up the mountain, because the air which presses upon the mercury reservoir becomes less and less dense." I quite forgot the lapse of time while contemplating the glorious panorama spread beneath. Just around us the ground was rocky and volcanic, and covered with mosses of various colors; rather lower down the ground was hidden by the fallen leaves of giant trees; beyond was a succession of smaller crests, frequently quite barren, sometimes covered with sun-scorched verdure. On the horizon, which was hidden by a transparent mist, the two volcanoes of the plateau stood out in bold relief against the blue sky, facing the other colossus, which seemed to protect us with its shadow. The peaks of these mountains, clad with their perpetual snow, can be seen by sailors forty leagues at sea.