30O A VOYAGE TO Book VI. 



we shall explain in its proper place. Here are also 

 large numbers of goats, but not many sheep ; and 

 though the manufactures here are not so numerous 

 as in Otábalo, yet the Indians weave a considerable 

 quantity of cloth and cotton. 



I>T the neighbourhood of the village of Salinas are 

 sait-mincs. which, besides the home consumption, 

 supply the countries to the northward of it. This salt 

 lias some mixture of nitre ; and ihough it may thence 

 be concluded to be less wholesome, yet it is attended 

 with no ill consequence to those who are accustomed 

 to it ; but not answering the intention in salting, that 

 from Guayaquil is used instead of it. 



V/iTHiN the district of the village of Mira, are 

 great numbers of wild asses, which increase very fast, 

 and are not easily caught. The owners of the grounds 

 where they are bred, sutler all persons to take as ma- 

 ny as they can, on paying a small acknowledgment in 

 proportion to the nuuiber of days their sport has last- 

 ed. The manner of catciiing them is as follows : a 

 number of persons go on horseback, and are attend- 

 ed by Indians on foot. When arrived at the proper 

 places, they form a circle, in order to drive them into 

 some valley ; where, at full speed, they throw the 

 noose, and halter them : for these creatures, on find- 

 ing themselves inclosed, make very furious efforts to 

 escape, and if only one forces his v/ay through, they 

 all follow with an irresistible impetuosity. But when 

 the hunters have noosed them, they throw them down, 

 and secure them with fetters, and thus leave them till 

 the hunting is over; when, in order to bring them 

 away with the greater facility, they pair them with 

 tame beasts ; but this is not easily performed, for 

 these asses are so remarkably fierce, that they often 

 hurt the persons who undertake to manage them. 

 They have all the swiftness of horses, "and neither ac- 

 clivities nor precipices retard them in their career ; 

 when attacked, they defend themselves with their heels 



and 



