136 EARTHQUAKES. [1839 



down to the ocean swollen far beyond their customary size, 

 and thus furnish abundant means for irrigation. 



Notwithstanding its proximity to the equator, the temper- 

 ature in the coast region is not so high as would naturally be 

 supposed. The prevailing winds are from the southwest, and 

 are very cooling. West winds are not common, but they 

 sometimes blow with terrific violence, and when they break 

 against the mountains, often form dangerous whirlwinds. 

 The northern winds, or, rather, currents of air, — for they 

 can hardly be called winds, — are very sultry and oppressive. 

 At night, the land breezes take the place of the sea breezes 

 that blow during the day. The mean temperature of the 

 year in Lima is about 70°, but there are villages in its im- 

 mediate vicinity, subject to the same atmospherical influences, 

 where it is still higher. The great humidity of the atmos- 

 phere upon the coast gives rise to severe fevers, and the 

 change from the damp to the dry season frequently produces 

 violent attacks of dysentery. Colics, bilious and inflamma- 

 tory diseases, and small-pox, are also very common. 



The most agreeable climate in Peru is probably to be found 

 in the extensive elevated valleys, between the Cordillera and 

 Andes, and the paramos, or ranges connecting the two great 

 ridges. The valley of Cuzco has long been admired for its 

 fine climate, though it is ten thousand feet above the level 

 of the sea. Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence in the 

 country, and have repeatedly been attended with the most 

 disastrous consequences. The entire town of Callao, and the 

 greater part of Lima, were destroyed by an earthquake, in 

 1746. Shocks are felt — more or less powerful — every year. 

 Since 1746, there have been two destructive earthquakes, in 

 1806 and 1828, and another is confidently predicted as being 

 soon to take place, by those persons in Lima and Callao who 

 are fond of relating marvels, and divining signs and wonders. 



Were Peru deprived of all beside, she would still have 

 much to boast of, in the vast mineral wealth concealed be- 

 neath the frowning buttresses of the Andes. For centuries 

 she has poured forth an almost unbroken current of gold and 



