Ch. i. south AMERICA. 9 



same name, and whose ^yatcI•s arc of such prodigious 

 use to the country, that it is every where cultivated^ 

 and divided into fields, producing plenty of the seve- 

 ral grains, esculent ves:ciables, and friiifs, natural to 

 a hot climate ; but like Tumbez, is infested with 

 moschetos. This river in summer may be forded ; 

 but in winter, when liie torrents descend from the 

 mountains, it must be crossed in a balza, the ri\pi- 

 diiy of its curienT bt ijig- then considerably increased. 

 There is a necessity ibr passing it in going to Piura, 

 and after this for about four leagues the road lies 

 through woods of lofty algarroba^is. These woods 

 terminate on a sandy plain, where even the most ex- 

 perienced drivers and Indians sometimes lose their 

 way, the wind levelling those hills of sana which 

 served as marks, and etlacing ail the tracks formerly 

 made : so that in travelling this country, the only di- 

 rection is the sun in the day-time, and the stars in the 

 night ; and the Indians being little acquainted Vvith 

 the situation of these objects, are often bewildered, and 

 exposed to the greatest hardships before they can again 

 find their way. 



Froai what has been said, the difficulties of travel- 

 ling this road may be conceived. Besides, as far as 

 Amotape, not only all kinds of provisions must be car- 

 ried, but even water, and tlie requisites for kindling 

 a lire, unless your provision consists of cold meat. la 

 this last stage is a mine of cope, a kind of mineral tar, 

 great quantities of which are carried to Callao, and 

 other ports, being used in ships instead of naphtha, but 

 has the ill quality of burning the cordage; its cheap- 

 ness however induces them to use it mixed with 

 naphtha, 



The city of Piura, which is at present the capital of 

 its jurisdiction, was the first Spanish settlement in 

 Peru. It was founded in the year 15^1 by Don 

 Francisco Pizarro, who also built the first church' in 

 it. This city was originally called San Miguel de 



Piura^ 



