Temperature — Fogs — Rainless Climate — Dwelling -Houses. 367 



are sufficiently penetrating thoroughly to soak the pedestrian 

 or horseman who happens to be surprised by them. I have 

 myself repeatedly experienced in Lima fogs of such density, 

 that it was quite practicable to count each separate drop. 

 During these winter months, fine, clear days free of all cloud 

 are comparatively rare ; but the statement one occasionally 

 hears; that for five months together the sun is invisible in Lima, 

 is an exaggeration. The temperature of Lima is much lower 

 than we could expect from a city within 12 degrees of the 

 Equator, and seems to be affected principally by the prox- 

 imity of the eternal snows of the Andes, and the prevailing 

 atmospheric currents. The thermometer never rises higher 

 than 85°.8 Fahr., nor falls below 68^2 Fahr. The average 

 temperature dming the hot season is 77°, and during the cold 

 63*^.5 Fahr. Such a climate renders fires superfluous, and it 

 is more habit than necessity that induces some Spanish 

 families to carry about copper or iron pans (Brasero) filled 

 with live coal, with which to warm their hands or feet. 



The exteriors and internal equipments of the dwellings are 

 very simple and devoid of ornament, only a few of the older 

 buildings, such, for instance, as the house of Torre Tagle, 

 near San Pedro, forming the exception. Among the archi- 

 tectural decorations, which preserve to the present day the 

 tradition of the glories of the Peruvian kingdom, one may 

 marvel at majestic designs and beautiful mosaics, which even 

 in their ruin tell of the magnificent luxury that was once in- 

 dulged in here. 



