CHAPTER VI. 



'1.) San Lorenzo. Callao.— (2.) Lima. Public Buildings and Private Resi- 

 dences. Its Inhabitants. — (3.) Other Principal Towns in Peru.— (4.) History 

 of Peru. Civil Dissensions.— (5.) The Peruvians. Traits and Characteris- 

 tics. Mode of Building. Vehicles for Travelling and Carrying Burdens. — 

 (6.) Topography. Mineral Wealth.— (7.) Climate. Agricultural Products.— 

 (8.) Commerce and Manufactures.— (9.) Birds and Animals.— (10.) Sailing 

 of the Exploring Squadron. 



(1.) San Lorenzo is a small, long-shaped, barren island, 

 which protects the southwest side of the bay of Callao. It 

 is about fifteen miles in circumference, and is intersected, 

 throughout its whole length, by a ridge of sharp crested hills, 

 the highest of which are nearly thirteen hundred feet above 

 the level of the sea. Few or no signs of vegetation are to be 

 seen. Seals and sea-otters inhabit the steep rocks on the 

 southern side of the island, and flocks of water-fowl make 

 their nests on the desolate shore. On the south, San Lorenzo 

 is separated by a narrow strait, from a small rocky island 

 called El Fronton, and between it and the coast of the main- 

 land, is an extensive shallow two miles wide, termed the 

 Camotal. Two centuries ago, the Camotal was dry land, 

 upon which large quantities of camotes (sweet potatoes) were 

 raised, but was completely inundated, either in the great 

 earthquake of 1687, oi in that of 1630. The geological ap- 

 pearances presented on the island and along the main coast 

 indicate a gradual rising of the land since its submersion, 

 but sufficient facts have not yet been ascertained, to estab- 

 lish any reliable or satisfactory data. The only object of 

 attraction which San Lorenzo contains, is the burying-ground 

 of foreign seamen who are not of the Catholic faith. The 

 graves are covered with white stones, and a white board, 



