198 MINES OF POTOSL 



LIB. iv. anc [ y e t} iev g V p 0n horse-backe. It is round at the top, 

 and at the foote it hath a league in circuite. It containes 

 from the toppe to the bottome 1680 common yardes, the 

 which reduced to the measure of Spanish leagues makes a 

 quarter of a league. At the foote of this mountaine there 

 is another small hill that riseth out of it, in the which there 

 hath beene sometimes mines of metall dispearsed, which 

 were found as it were in purses, and not in fixed or con 

 tinued veines ; yet were they very rich, though few in 

 number. This small rocke was called by the Indians 

 Huayna Potosi, which is young Potosi ; at the foote 

 whereof beginnes the dwellings of the Spaniards and 

 Indians, which are come to the riches and worke of Potosi, 

 / which dwelling may containe some two leagues in circuite, 

 and the greatest trafficke and commerce of all Peru is in 

 this place. The mines of this mountaine were not digged 

 nor discovered in the time of their Yncas, which were the 

 Lordes of Peru, before the Spaniardes entred, although 

 they had digged and opened the mines of Porco, neere to 

 Potosi, distant onely sixe leagues. The reason might be 

 the want of knowledge thereof, although some do report I 

 know not what fable, that having sometimes laboured to 

 open those mines, a voyce was heard, commaunding them 

 not to touch it, being reserved for others. In. trueth they 

 had no knowledge of Potosi, nor of the wealth thereof, till 

 after twelve yeeres that the Spaniards were entred into 

 Peru, the discovery whereof was made in this manner. 



An Indian called Hualpa, of the nation of Chumpivilca, 

 which is a province of Cusco, going one clay to hunt for 

 venison, passing towardes the west whither the beast was 

 fled, he beganne to runne vppe against the rocke, which at 

 that time was covered and planted with certaine crops they 

 call quinua, 1 and with thick bushes, and as he strived to 

 gette vp a way which was somewhat rough and vneasie, 

 1 &quot; Chenopodium quinua.&quot; 



