Cu. I. SOUTH AMERICA. 15 



of salt; but neither sprigj, licrb^ flower, or any other 

 verdure. 



On the 2 ith ^ye left Sechura, and crossed the de- 

 part, makin«' only some short stops for the ease of our 

 beasts, so that we arrived the next da_y at iive in the 

 evenii;»' at the town of Morropo, 28 or 30 lea2;ues dis- 

 tance from Scchura, tho' falsely computed more by the 

 natives. The extent and uniform aspect of this plain, 

 together with the continual motion of the sand which 

 soon ellaccs all tracks, often bewilders the most 

 experienced guides^ wlio however shew their skill in 

 soon recovering tlic right way ; for which they make 

 use of two expedients : 1 st, to observe to keep the wind 

 directly in tlieir face ; and Ü\q reverse u po u their return ; 

 for the south winds beinir constant jiere. this rule c 



'¡-1 



an- 



not deceive them: 2d, to take up a handful of sand at 

 diifercnt distances, and smell to it ; for as the excre- 

 ments of the roisles impregnate the sand more or less, 

 they determine which is tiie true road by ílie scent of 

 it. Those who are not well acquainted with these 

 parts, expose themselves to great danger, by stopping 

 to rest or sleep ; for when they again set forward, they 

 find themselves unable to determine the right road; 

 and when they once have lost the true direction, it is 

 a remarkable instance of Providence if they do not 

 perish wií-í fatigue or distress, of which there are many 

 melanci;oly instances. 



The town of Morrope consists of between 70 and 

 80 houses, built like those in ¿iiC preceding towns ; 

 and contains about 160 families, ail Indians, Near 

 it runs a river called Pozuelos, sLibject to the same 

 changes as those above-mentioned: though the lands 

 bordering on its banks arc cultivated, una adorned 

 with trees. The instinct of the beasts used to this 

 road is really surprizing; for even at the distance of 

 four leagues, they smell its water, and become so 

 impatient that it would bediíHcult to stop them; ac- 

 cordingly 



