194 A PICNIC. Chap. XI. 



together with reeds; and finally an inner perpendicular 

 layer ; the whole thatch being five feet thick. The interior 

 framework consists of twelve perfect circles of bent wands, 

 with others descending in curves from the apex of the roof 

 to the crest of the wall, and where they cross there are 

 lashings of a tough reed. The whole is finished with most 

 admirable neatness, forming a perfect dome. This is the only 

 roof of the time of the Incas still remaining in Peru, and 

 hence its great importance in an antiquarian point of view. 

 It has been said that the colossal and highly-finished masonry 

 of the Incas, and their poor thatched roofs, formed a bar- 

 baric contrast ; but the Sondor-huasi proves that their roofs 

 rivalled their walls in the exquisite art and neatness of their 

 finish. The Sondor-huasi is now in a very dilapidated state, 

 and is used as a kitchen by the degenerate collateral heirs 

 of the old caciques. 



The Chuquihuanca family had a country house about a 

 league from Azangaro, which was destroyed by the army of 

 Tupac Amaru in 1780, because the Chuquihuancas deserted 

 their countrymen and adhered to the Spanish cause. I accom- 

 panied Don Luis Quiiiones, and the whole of the society 

 of Azangaro, to a picnic at the ruined house of the Chuqui- 

 huancas ; and it was amusing to see all the masters of 

 families, the Sub-Prefect Don Hipolito Valdez, the judge, 

 the cura, and every one else, locking the great folding-doors 

 leading into their patios, and putting the keys into their 

 pockets. Azangaro was entirely deserted. We were all well 

 mounted, and there were fourteen young ladies of the party, 

 fresh pleasant girls, who thoroughly enjoyed a good gallop. 

 The ruined house was in a corner of the plain, and surrounded 

 on three sides by steep overhanging cliffs. There are the 

 remains of a house, with a long corridor of brick arches, 

 behind which several broad terraces rise up the face of the 

 cliff, which are still ornamented with some fine oliva silvestre 



