MINES OF POTOSI. 197 



CHAP. VT. Of the mount ainc or lull of Potosi and .the 

 discovery thereof. 



The mountaine or hill of Potosi so famous, scituate in the LlB - 

 Province of Charcas, in the kingdome of Peru, distant from 

 the Equinoctiall towardes the South or Pole Antartike, 21 

 degrees and two thirds : so as it falls under the Tropicke, 

 &quot;bordering upon the burning Zone, and yet this region is 

 extreamely cold, yea, more then old Castill in the kingdom 

 of Spaine, and more than Flanders itselfe, although by 

 reason it should be hote or temperate, in regard of the 

 height and elevation of the Pole where it is seated. The 

 reason of this so cold a temperature is the height of the 

 mountaine, whereas colde and intemperate windes con 

 tinually blow, especially that which they call TomaTiaui, 

 which is boistrous and most cold. It raines most commonly 

 in lune, lulie, and August. The ground and soile of this 

 mountaine is drie, cold, and very vnpleasant, yea, altogether 

 barren, which neither engenders nor brings forth any 

 fruite, grasse, nor graine ; it is naturally inhabitable, for 

 the intern perature of the heaven, and the barrennes of the 

 earth. But the force of silver, which drawes vnto it the 

 desire of all thinges, hath peopled this mountaine more then 

 any other place in all these Kingdomes, making it so fruit- 

 full of all kindes of meats, as there wantes nothing that 

 can be desired, yea, in great abouiidance; and although 

 there be nothing but what is brought by carriage, yet 

 every place aboundes so with fruite, conserves, exquisite 

 wines, silkes, and all other delicats, as it is not inferiour to 

 any other part. This mountaine is of colour darke red, 

 and is in form pleasing at the first sight, resembling per 

 fectly the fashion of a pavilion or of a sugar loafe. It 

 exceedes all other hilles and mountaines about it in height. 

 The way whereby they ascend, is very rough and vneven, 



