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able extent of level land is cultivated by the inhabitants, 
who were harvesting two sorts of roots, the Oca, (Oxalis 
tuberosa,) and Olluca, (Tropeolum tuberosum,) of which the 
Indians are very fond, and which thrive at a great elevation 
in the mountains, where scarcely any other vegetable can be 
cultivated. The alcalde, at whose dwelling, being the 
largest in the place, we intended to pass the night, was 
absent, like the rest, in the fields; and the door being locked, 
we had to wait patiently for his return. 
lt was evening when we arrived, and, as the sun went 
down, we found the air piercingly cold, so that we were glad 
to crowd round the turf fire of a smoky hovel, that served for 
a kitchen, till our host came, and supper was prepared. A 
party from Pasco arrived shortly after us, and informed us 
that snow had fallen for several days in some parts of the 
Cordillera, where partial snow-storms are occasionally 
experienced at all seasons, but it seldom falls till after mid- 
day. 
On the neighbourhood of Culluay, as well below as above 
the town, the rocks are granite and porphyry; many detached 
blocks of calcareous tufa are spread about near the town. 
For the last mile or two, the rocks by the roadside were 
quite covered with the Loasa, and various Calceolarie, and a 
species of Asplenium filled many of the crevices. 
2Tth.—As we had a rough day's journey before us, we were 
obliged to rise before daylight, and several of our party who- 
had not quitted Lima for some years, did not at all relish the 
fresh morning air, at a temperature very little above freezing. 
Advancing from Culluay,. there is a great sameness in the 
appearance of the hills, which are mostly covered with a 
smooth compact turf. A long ladera conducted us to the 
head of the valley, where we crossed a small rill that takes 
its rise in a neighbouring ravine, and is the source of the 
river of which we had traced the course from the coast. At 
this spot, called the Alto de Jacaybamba, two leagues from 
Culluay, we commenced the ascent of the Cordillera. It was 
steep and rugged, lying among rocks of porphyry and tufe d 
like that at Canta. A large insulated hill, called La Viuda, 
