LAKE TITICACA. 



adventures of this strange entrie and discoverie ; and at the LTB - &quot; 

 seditious and pernitious acts of that wicked Diego de Aguirre, 

 from the which God delivered him to place him in our com 

 pany. Such are the rivers in that region, which they call 

 the burning Zone, and the drie and parcht vp countrie, in 

 the which Aristotle and the Ancients affirmed there were 

 neither waters nor pastures. But seeing I have made men 

 tion of the river of Marafion, to shew the abundance of the 

 waters that are in the burning zone, it shall not be from 

 the purpose to speake somewhat of that great Lake which 

 they call Titicaca, which is in the midst of the Province of 

 Collao. There are above ten great rivers which loose them 

 selves entring into that Lake, and yet hath it no issue but 

 one small current of water, 1 although some hold it to be very 

 deepe, and of such a fashion, as it is impossible to build a 

 bridge over it for the depth of the water, neither can they 

 passe it by boate for the violence of the current. They 

 passe it by an artificiall and notable practice, peculiar to the 

 Indians, with a bridge of straw laied vpon the water, the 

 which, being of so light i\ substance, sinkes not, and yet 

 this passage is very easie and safe. This Lake containes 

 almost foure score leagues, thirtie five in length, and fifteene 

 in bredth at the largest place. There are many Hands 

 which in olde time were inhabited and tilled, but now lie 

 waste. It brings forth a great aboundance of reedes, 

 which the Indians call totora, which serves them to a 

 thousand vses ; for it is meate for swine, for horses, and for 

 men; they make houses therewith, fire, and barkes. To 

 conclude, the Uros in this their totora finde all they have 

 neede of. These Uros be such dull and brutish people, as 

 they esteeme not themselves men. It is reported of them, 

 that being demanded of what nation they were, They an 

 swered, they were not men, but Uros, as it were some kinde 

 of beastes. There are whole villages of these Uros inhabit- 

 1 The river 



