degrees of longitude, fixing the first meridian at the Peak of Teneriffe. These dimensions being calculated, the result is a superficies of about eight thousand square leagues, a space capable of containing, without inconvenience, a population of about five millions of persons, by whom a most flourishing trade and intercourse might be carried on.
Its fecundity is equal to the prerogatives of its advantageous position. The eastern branch of the Cordillera of the Andes, which, running between the Huallaga and the Mayro, unites this peninsula with Peru, and the different mountains which, originating at the Cordillera, descend at various distances into the plain, abound in that rich metal which ennobles man, which constitutes his fortune, and which even acquires him, without effort, the sublime titles of wise, discreet, and the rest of those eminent qualities that are wont to shine with diminished lustre when viewed from beneath the humble garments of the poor. Washed down by the rains, this noble metal shines amid the sands of the rivers, combined with the hard flint which conceals the diamond, and with the precious shell in which the pearl is stored. The multitude and variety of the fishes which play on the surface of the waters, are not inferior to those of the beautiful and melodious warblers by which the air is peopled, and to the diversity of the quadrupeds which browse on the plains. It would be fortunate if the insects and reptiles were less numerous.[1] If it be certain that there exists on the earth an irrational creature on whose forehead shines the star of the morning,[2] this favoured territory is without doubt the
- ↑ The gold found in the Parapa del Sacramento is of the finest quality; and that which was discovered by father Xara, in a broken ground below the stream named Huamancot, proved to be superior to any in South America.—The pearls which are fished at the confluence of the river Mayobamba are very large.—Among the fishes, the most remarkable is the sea cow, which commonly weighs about ten quintals.—In the class of amphibia may be cited the tortoise: several of these animals have been met with more particularly on the banks of the Ucayali (where the females lay and deposit each of them about two hundred eggs), which measured two yards in length and one in breadth.—Among the reptiles, the most formidable is the snake yacumama; to which may be added several others, of an analogous nature, stiled cazadoras, in consequence of the various stratagems they employ when they surprize and attack men and animals.—It has been asserted, that Nature having exhausted all the energy of her divine pencil in colouring the plumage of the birds of our mountains, had denied them the harmony and melodiousness of voice which distinguish those of other climes. This is not correct. There may be some among them, as is the case every where, which stun and weary by their wild and uncouth notes; but there are many others which, from the morning’s dawn to the close of day, stay the progress of the traveller by their delightful warblings.
- ↑ In all the districts to which a reference has been made, and more particularly in Lamas, it is reported that there have been seen, on the mountains and banks of the Huallaga, small dogs of a particu-
