62 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL 



middle of a square inclosed by a ditch proceeded two trenches several hundred 

 feet in lcn<>-th, and ending in a sort of crown with five pinnacles, similar to the 

 heraldic coronet of a baron. At one-third of the length of this trench above the 

 square a single ditch extended on each side, in a horizontal direction for some dis- 

 tance, and then turned up towards the top of the hill, about one-third of the length 

 of the central trench. Each of these side branches passed through a figure very 

 much like the heart on playing-cards. The points of the hearts on the right and 

 left converged. The upper end of each of these side branches expanded likewise 

 into a crown similar to the coronet, but of smaller dimensions. 



The land which forms the sinuosity of the bay is a sandy desert, part of which 

 has been used by the ancients as a burial-ground. The sand is strewn with bones 

 from the graves which have been opened, mostly with the expectation of finding 

 valuable articles. We opened one grave, which was found by means of an iron 

 rod. After the removal of the sand to the depth of two feet and a half, we came 

 to the body, in a crouching posture, encircled by pieces of split bamboo. The 

 sailors, who performed the digging, not liking such work, impatiently took hold 

 of the head to lift the body: thus the head was broken off, and the rest remained 

 in the grave. The head with the neck, which I possess, is perfectly desiccated by 

 the heat of the sand. Around the neck is a twine of cotton, to wliich is attached 

 in front a little square bag of cotton, like those worn by many Catholics. In the 

 grave was also found a vessel of the calabash fruit petrified, filled with maize, the 

 germs of most kernels being destroyed by insects. I secured also two fragments 

 of wooden staves in the shape of long lances, which stood upright near the body. 

 The body seemed to have been that of a woman, and the staves were such as are 

 used in weaving. It was said that some distance from the shore are ruins of for- 

 mer edifices. 



From this part of the bay all the inhabitants on the islands and the shipping 

 receive the water they use. It is taken from square deep holes dug in the beach 

 like a well, in which the sea water percolates. These wells arc fenced and covered 

 with planks. The water is not entirely sweet, but has very little of a brackish taste. 



The American minister informed me on my first arrival in Lima of the death 

 of the American consul in Guayaquil, who had the kindness to permit me to store 

 my superfluous luggage in the garret of his house. When I came to Guayaquil 

 from Lima I found the trunks and boxes in charge of Mr. L., the present American 

 consul, but every trunk and box with the exception of one had been opened, and all 

 articles of service stolen. Only the cliemicals, and luckily my manuscripts, were 

 not touched. 



I left Guayaquil in a sloop which was transformed from a halcmdra, the common 

 coasting craft, by removing the mast from the centre and placing it nearer the bow, 

 and sailed for the Galapagos islands. We had to stop first in tlie harbor of Santa 

 Elena to await the arrival of a still smaller craft, in company of which we intended 

 to sail for the islands. While waiting for this craft I took the yellow fever, which 

 was then raging in Guayaquil, as well as in Santa Elena and the surrounding 

 country, and the two crafts departed witliout me. 



After my recovery, at my first visit to the cura, inquiring if there were any 



