152 A VOYAGE TO Boot VII. 



province. They are now however, according to all 

 nppearance, under an irremediable decay, being over- 

 flowed, and all the endeavours hitherto used, in 

 order to drairi them, have provjed ineffectual ; so that 

 those of any consideration at present are in the moun- 

 tains of Popo, about twelve leagues from the town, 

 ^rhich is large and very populous from the trade 

 carried on there with the mines. It has a revenue 

 office for collecting the fifths belonging to the 

 crown. 



VIII. TilE province of Pilaya and Paspaya, or 

 Cinti, lies soiith of Plata, distance about 40 leagues. 

 The greatest part of itsjurisdiction being among the 

 breaches of the mountains, is the better adapted for 

 producing all kinds of grain, pulse, and fruits ; 

 whichi with the great quantity of wine made here, 

 enable it to carry on a very lucrative commerce with 

 the other provinces, which are not so happily situated, 



IX. The province of Cochabamba, lies 50 leagues 

 south-east of Plata, and fifty-six from Potosi. Its ca- 

 pital is one of the most considerable cities in Peru, 

 with regard to largeness, and the number and wealth 

 of its inhabitants. The province in some directions 

 extends above forty leagues. Besides the situation of 

 the city in a most fertile plain, the whole country is so 

 fertilized by the many rivers and streams, which 

 every where traverse it, that this province is esteemed 

 the granary of the whole archbishoprick, and even 

 ♦of the diocess de la Paz. The air also is in most parís 

 very mild and pure ; and in some spots silver mines 

 have been discovered. 



'^ X. About fifty leagues north-west from the city 

 ñt la Plata, lays the province of Chayanta, extending 

 in' some piirts about forty leagues. This country is 

 very famous for its gold and silver mines. The for- 

 mer are indeed at present discontinued, though the 

 antient subterraneous passages are still open. This 

 province is watered by the river Grande, in whose 

 ■ ^ ; sand 



