_Fauna._--The fauna of Ecuador is comparatively poor in mammalia, but the birds and still more the insects are very numerous. The Quadrumana are represented by a large number of species, the eastern forests being very much like the other parts of the great Amazonian basin in this respect. The Carnivora include the puma (_Felis concolor_), jaguar (_F. onca_), ocelot (_F. grisea_), bear (_Ursus ornatus_), fox, weasel and otter. A small deer and, in southern Ecuador, the llama (_Auchenia_) with its allied species, the alpaca, guanaco and vicuña, represent the ruminants. The rodents are numerous and include most, if not all, of the Amazonian species--the capybara (_Hydrochoerus capybara_), cavia (_C. aperea_), paca (_Coelogenys paca_) and cutia (_Dasyprocta aguti_), all amphibious and having an extensive range. Tapirs are to be found in the eastern forests, the peccary in more open woodlands, and the opossum in nearly every part of the country. Cattle, horses, asses, sheep and swine were introduced by the Spaniards, and thrive well in some of the provinces. Excellent horses are reared in the uplands, as well as mules and cattle, the pasturage on the mountain slopes being good, and alfalfa being grown in abundance in many districts. The Reptilia include countless numbers of alligators in the Guayas and its tributaries and in the tide-water channels of many of the smaller rivers; many species of lizards, of which Mr Whymper found three in the Quito basin; snakes of every description from the huge anaconda of the Amazon region down to the beautifully marked coral snake; and a great variety of frogs and toads. Bats also are very numerous, especially in the eastern forest region, where the vampire bat is a serious obstacle to permanent settlement. The avifauna of Ecuador is distinguished for the great variety of its genera and species, among which are many peculiar to the Amazon valley, and others to the colder uplands. Among the Amazon species may be mentioned the parrot, macaw (_Macrocercus_), toucan (_Ramphastos_), curassow (_Crax_), penelope, trogon, and horned screamer (_Palamedea cornuta_). There are also herons, ibises, storks and cranes, including the great black-headed white crane, _Mycteria americana_, which ranges from northern Argentina to Colombia. One species of ibis, the _Theristicus caudatus_, is to be found, it is said, only on the slopes of Antisana. Species of the pheasant and partridge are not uncommon, and the "guácharo" (_Steatornis caripensis_), once believed to inhabit Venezuela only, is found in Ecuador also. The Raptores are well represented by a large number of genera and species, which include the condor, eagle, vulture, falcon, hawk and owl. The condor (_Sarcorhamphus gryphus_) is commonly found between the elevations of 6000 and 16,000 ft., rarely, if ever, descending to the lowland plains or rising above the lower peaks. It