394 YIEWS OF NATURE. 



the ancient Peruvians ; and the Inca road is the more extra- 

 ordinary, since, according to my barometrical calculations, it 

 is situated at an elevation of 13,258 feet above the level 

 of the sea, a height exceeding that of the summit of the 

 Peak of Teneriffe by upwards of 1000 feet. At an equal 

 elevation, are the ruins said to be those of the palace of 

 the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, and known by the name of the 

 Paredones del Inca, situated on the Assuay. From these 

 ruins the Inca road, running southward in the direction 

 of Cuenca, leads to the small but well-preserved fortress of 

 the Cafiar (4), probably belonging to the same period, viz. : 

 the reign of Tupac Yupanqui, or that of his warlike son 

 Huayna Capac. 



We saw still grander remains of the ancient Peruvian 

 Inca road, on our way between Loxa and the Amazon, near 

 the baths of the Incas on the Paramo of Chulucanas, not far 

 from Guancabamba, and also in the vicinity of Ingatambo, 

 near Pomahuaca. The ruins at the latter place are situated 

 so low, that I found the difference of level between the Inca 

 road at Pomahuaca, and that in the Paramo del Assuay, to be 

 upwards of 9700 feet. The distance in a direct line, as deter- 

 mined by astronomical latitudes, is precisely 184 miles; 

 and the ascent of the road is about 3730 feet greater than 

 the elevation of the Pass of Mont Cenis, above the Lake of 

 Como. There are two great causeways, paved with flat 

 stones, and in some places covered with cemented gravel (5), 

 on Macadam's plan. One of these lines of road runs through 

 the broad and barren plain lying between the sea-coast and 

 the chain of the Andes, whilst the other passes along the 

 ridge of the Cordilleras. Stones, marking the distances at 

 equal intervals, are frequently seen. The rivulets and ravines 

 were crossed by bridges of three kinds; some being of 

 stone, some of wood, and others of rope. These bridges 

 are called by the Peruvians, Puentes de Hamaca, or Puentes 



