miles every way; and in many parts exposed to annual inundations from the Parana, the Paraguay, and their tributary rivers. This immense level is of an extraordinary fertility; but, contrary to the general nature of America, it is almost destitute of wood, except a few scattered palms, &c. and presents only an uniform expanse of vast savannas, covered with the most luxuriant meadows and pasturage. The principal mountains and rivers have already been noticed; and the bounds of this work will not admit of a minute delineation of inferior objects.

Mineralogy. The mineralogy of the Spanish dominions in South America is universally celebrated as the richest in the world; and all particulars considered, is superior not only to that of Brazil, but also naturally to that of Mexico.* The South American possessions of Spain are chiefly famed for silver; but in many districts gold also abounds. A professed and practical mineralogist thinks, that if Peru were equally populous, equally near to Europe, and in possession of equal commercial advantages with Mexico, there might be obtained from that country a four times greater quantity of gold and silver than Mexico at present affords. Many parts of Terra Firma, especially in the districts of Darien and Popayan, abound in the finest gold. But the mines of Darien were lost by a revolt of the natives. Chili also has several mines of that metal. The celebrated mountain of Potosi, in Peru, has been long considered as an inexhaustible source of silver. This mountain, which rises in a conical form, is about twenty English miles in circumference. It is perforated by more than 300 shafts; and its surface presents neither trees nor herbage, all vegetation being blasted by the numerous furnaces. This celebrated mine was accidentally discovered in 1545, by a Peruvian, named Hualpa, who, in pursuing a Chamois, pulled up a bush on the side of the mountain, when, to his astonishment, the breach made in the surface laid open this immense vein of silver, the richest that the world has ever yet afforded. The provinces of Chili and Buenos Ayres have mines of silver as well as of gold. Helms enumerates in the viceUlloa, liv. 3. ch. 5.

* Helm's Journal Trad. Françoise, p. 258.
Ibid. liv. 8. ch. 9.

royalty of Buenos Ayres, thirty mines of gold, twenty-seven of silver, seven of copper, seven of lead, and two of tin. It inay here be observed, that silver mines are in general far more productive than those of gold. The former metal is in many places found in considerable masses, while the latter seems sparingly scattered by the hand of nature. With the single exception of the noted plain of Cineguilla, in North America, there has hitherto been no instance of a gold mine eminently rich. None such has ever been found, that in regard to its value could bear any comparison with the celebrated silver mine of Potosi. The valuable mine of quicksilver a little to the south-east of Lima, was discovered in 1567, and is now said to be so spacious, as to contain streets and chapels, in which mass is celebrated.* In possessing a mine of this mineral, indispensable in the process of amalgamating gold and silver, Peru has a great advantage over Mexico, which is supplied with quicksilver from Spain. Platina, a singular species of metal, valued by some above gold, is found in the mines of New Granada; and tin in those of Chyanza and Paria. Several parts of South America produce lead and copper; but the colonies are chiefly supplied with the latter from the mines of Cuba. Those countries also produce a variety of useful and curious fossils and minerals, as the inca stone, and the gallinazo, both used as looking-glasses, sulphur, bitumen, vitriol, and copperas. There are also some precious stones, especially emeralds, which are esteemed the best in the world since the emerald mines of Egypt have been neglected and lost. The chief modern mines of Peruvian emeralds, are near Bogota; but there are others of a superior kind in a mountain situated in the midst of thick forests, about five miles from the sea, on the south side of the river of Emeralds, which rises in the Andes, and passing to the north of Quito, falls into the Pacific Ocean.† "

W

* For an account of this mine, see Ulloa's Voy. liv. 7. ch. 12.

[This mine is now nearly exhausted, a new one however has been recently discovered in the district of Huamalies. AM. ED.]

† Bouguer, p. 13.

w[Pinkerton doubts the existence of mines of emeralds in Peru. He asserts that what are denominated Peruvian emeralds, are derived from the mines of Muzo in New Granada. AM. ED.]

Soil.-A minute examination of the soil of regions so extensive, even if the necessary documents could be found, would lead to an endless prolixity. It suffices here to say, that in the mountainous parts, and in some sandy plains, it is barren; in the level country and the valleys, it is generally fertile, and the vegetation luxuriant.

Climate. In all extensive countries, the climate, however various, is less minutely diversified than the soil, and consequently requires a less prolix description. Terra Firma, especially in the northern division, is excessively hot. The greatest heat ever felt at Paris is said to be continual at Carthagena. The summer, or dry season, extends from the beginning of December to the end of April. The rest of the year is the rainy season, or winter. During this long period of six months, the rains descend in such abundance, as seems to threaten a general deluge. All the level parts of the country are in consequence almost continually flooded; and the combination of heat and moisture impregnates the air with so great a quantity of mephitic vapour, as to render the climate in most places, but especially about Popayan and Porto Bello, extremely unwholesome.

The climate of Peru is exceedingly various, and distinguished by some remarkable characteristics. The high ridges of the Andes, covered with eternal snows, constitute the dreary reign of perpetual winter. In the lower mountainous tracts, on the western side of this immense chain, the dry season from May to November, is often extremely cold, and the rest of the year is rainy. At Quito, which is situated on a plain of remarkable elevation, between two ridges of the Andes, the rains are almost continual from September to May, and also frequent during the rest of the year, which constitutes the summer. The plains of Peru, which between the upland country and the Pacific Ocean, are totally exempt from rains, and receive no other moisture than that which descends in copious dews. From the bay of Guiaquil, to the deserts of Atacama, a space 1200 miles in length, and from 60 to 90 in breadth, no rain ever falls: thunder and storms are also unknown. Peru, though situated in the torrid zone, enjoys a *Bouguer, p. 23.

temperate and salubrious climate, greatly different from that of other tropical countries. The peculiar characteristics of the Peruvian climate, to the distance of about sixty or eighty miles from the coast, are, that it never rains, and the sun seldom shines.

The climate of Chili in a great measure resembles that of Peru, dryness being one of its chief characteristics. Chili, however, is considerably colder than Peru; and the climate is in general extremely pleasant and healthful. The extensive province of Paraguay, although uniformly level, and exposed to annual inundations, being destitute of woods, is said to enjoy a serene atmosphere and healthful climate. From the salubrity of the air, the town of Buenos Ayres derives its name; and the waters of the Rio de la Plata, on which it is situated, are said to be equally pure and wholesome.

Vegetable productions.]-The vast extent of the Spanish territories in South America may naturally be supposed to display the productions of various climates. From the isthmus of Darien, in 12° north, to the southernmost extremity of Chili, in 44° south latitude, all the vegetable products of the tropical regions and of the temperate zones, would undoubtedly prosper under the fostering hand of agriculture. But the mines have attracted the principal attention of the colonists, who have paid little regard to the cultivation of a soil in many parts luxuriantly productive. The coasts of Terra Firma are generally a barren sand; but many parts of the inland country display the most luxuriant vegetation. The perpetual verdure of the woods, and the exuberant crops of grass on the plains, form a rich contrast with the towering height of the mountains. Among the most remarkable of the trees are the caobo, the balsam, and the cedar: the last of these often acquire an extraordinary size. One of the most remarkable and interesting productions of Peru, is the cinchona, or quinquenna, from which that valuable drug, the Peruvian bark, is procured. No less than twenty-four species of pepper, and five or six of capsicum, are reckoned among the native productions of that country. The provinces on the Rio de la

[The singularities of the Peruvian climate do not exist in Chili. The four seasons are as regular there as in Europe. AM. ED.]

Plata are remarkable for the luxuriant pasturage that covers their extensive plains.

Zoology. The most distinguishing and important circumstance in the zoology of South America, is the amazing number of horses and horned cattle in several parts of the Spanish territories, but especially in the provinces adjacent to the Paraguay, the Parana, and the Rio de la Plata. It is well known that neither horses nor horned cattle existed in any part of the new continent previous to its discovery by the Spaniards; and the surprising herds with which the country is now overspread, have multiplied from a few that were carried over and turned loose by the first settlers. They are now so numerous, that they are hunted for the sake of their hides. Mules being indispensably necessary in the mountainous countries, are bred in great numbers in the plains of Paraguay, from whence about 80,000 are said to be annually sent to Peru. Flocks of European sheep also are not unknown. Dogs, which like the other domestic animals of the old continent, were originally unknown in America, having been introduced by the Spaniards, have multiplied in the same manner as the horses and cattle, and now rove about the country. The wild animals of South America are both numerous and of various kinds but the zoology, as well as the botany of those regions, is very imperfectly known; and some late discoveries. seem to confute the theory of the celebrated Buffon concerning the universal inferiority of the American animals, when compared with those of the old continent. The tygers of Paraguay exceed those of Africa in size and strength, and seem to equal them at least in ferocity.*y The lama and the vicur ma have been described by numerous travellers and naturalists. Among the volatiles, the most remarkable is the condor, which seems to be a species of vulture. This is described as the largest and most ferocious of the feathered race. It is regarded as peculiar to South America, and seems to be the most common in Peru.

* Dobrizhoffer, vol. 1. p. 246.—Ulloa, vol. 1. p. 366.—Trad. Françoise. y [The fact that the animals imported from Europe are found, after a short residence, to be greatly improved in beauty and vigor is a farther confutation of Buffon's theory. Aм. ED.]