Ch.IV. south AMERICA. \ 251 



stands. It may, perhaps, appear strange, that, notwith- 

 standing two such beautiful aud extensive plains are 

 so near the cÍLy,asii:uation sovery inconvenientshould 

 be preferred to either. But the first founders seem to 

 have had less regard for convenience and heauty, than 

 for preserving the remembrance of their conquest, by 

 building on the site of the ancient capital of the In- 

 dians, who made choice of such places for erectino- 

 their tQwns ; probably from their being better adapted 

 to defence. Besides, the Spaniards, during the infancy 

 of their conquest, little imagined this place would ever 

 increase to its present magnitude. Quito, howe^^er, 

 was formerly in a much more flourishing condition 

 than at present; the number of its inhabitants being 

 considerably decreased, particularly the Indians, whole 

 streets of whose huts are now forsaken, and in ruins. 



South-west from Quito, on the neck of land be- 

 longing to the plain of Turu-bamba, is an eminence 

 called Panecillo, or the Little Loaf, from its ligure 

 resembling a sugai«loaf. Its height is not above a 

 hundred tcises, and between it and the mountains co- 

 vering the eaftpart of the city is a very narrow road. 

 From the south and west sides of the Panecillo issue 

 several streams of excellent water ; and from the 

 eminences of Pichincha several brooks flow down the 

 breaches, and by means of conduits and pipes pienti- 

 fully supply the whole city with water; whilst che re- 

 mainder, joining in one stream, forms a river called 

 Machangara, which washes the south parts of the 

 city, and is crossed over by a stone bridge. 



Pichincha, in the Pagan time^^, wasa volcano, and 

 even some fieiy eruptions have been known since the 

 conquest. The mouth, or aperture, was in a pic nearly 

 of the same height with that on which we tjok our 

 station; anS the top of it is now covered with sand 

 and calcined matter. At present no fire is ej - ted, 

 nor does there any smoke issue from it. But ^^ me- 

 times the inhabitants are alarmed by dreadful noises, 



caused 



