162 TEMPERATE VALLEYS. 



LIB. in. treames there is ground of a meane height, the which, 

 although it bee in some partes higher or lower one than 

 other, yet doth it not approach neyther to the heate of the 

 sea coast nor the intemperature of the mountaines. In this 

 sorte of soile there groweth many kindes of graine, as 

 wheate, barley, and mays, which grows not at all in the high 

 countries ; but well in the lower ; there is likewise store of 

 pasture, cattel, fruits, and greene forrests. This part is the 

 best habitation of the three for health and recreation, and 

 therefore it is best peopled of any parte of the Indies ; the 

 which I have curiously observed in manie voyages that I 

 have vndertaken, and have alwayes found it true that the 

 Province best peopled at the Indies be in this scituation. 

 Let vs looke neerely into New Spaine (the which, without 

 doubt, is the best Province the Sunne dooth circle), by 

 what parte soever you doe enter you mount vp, and when 

 you have mounted a good height you beginne to descend, 

 yet very little, and that land is alwayes much higher then 

 that along the sea coast. 



All the land about Mexico is of this nature and scituation, 

 and that which is about the Vulcan, which is the best soile 

 of the Indies, as also in Peru, Arequipa, Guamanga, and 

 Cuzco, although more in one then in the other. But in the 

 end all is high ground, although they descend into deepe 

 vallies, and climbe vppe to high mountaines ; the like is 

 spoken of Quito, Santa Fe, and of the best of the new 

 kingdome. To conclude, I doe beleeve that the wisedome 

 and providence of the Creator would have it so, that the 

 greatest parte of this countrey of the Indies should be hilles, 

 that it might be of a better temperature, for, being lowe, 

 it had beeiie very hotte vnder the burning zone, especially 

 being farre from the sea. Also all the land I have seene 

 at the Indies is neere to the mountaines on the one side or 

 the other, and sometimes of all partes. So as I have often 

 times saide there, that I woulde gladly see any place from 



