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to another part of the plain ; the part near the city is covered prin- 

 cipally with garden grounds, irrigated from the Salta de Agua : be- 

 yond the Portesuelo, we came to a very extensive hacienda belong- 

 ing to one of the Izquierdas, where every thing was in preparation 

 for the annual rodeo. The scenery of a cattle farm, being like that 

 of our forest lands at home, is much more picturesque than any other ; 

 but it is wilder, and gives less the air of civilisation. We passed 

 along by the foot of a high mountain projecting immediately from 

 the Andes for about four leagues more, and then entered the Gar- 

 gana, or gorge of the mountain in which the baths are situated. The 

 approach to it is marked by wider channels of floods, now partially 

 dried, higher trees, and more varied though confined scenery. We 

 had passed in the morning several farm-houses ; at one of which we 

 had stopped to rest, and get refreshments. The farm servants being 

 all about, gave an air of liveliness and interest. But now we lost 

 sight of all marks of habitation, and proceeded along the gorge 

 by a narrow path made with some labour, but scarcely safe for five 

 or six miles, when we came to the baths. Nothing can be more 

 desolate than their appearance now, and perhaps the dulness of the 

 day contributed to that effect. Midwinter still reigns ; no grass 

 enlivens the red mountain side ; but here and there an evergreen 

 shrub, with its spiry buds still closely folded, overhangs the valley 

 below. A bright beautiful stream breaks its way down the whole 

 vale, and the sources of this are the celebi'ated baths. From under 

 the living rock, several copious springs gush out at a temperature 

 not below 100° of Fahrenheit. The water is perfectly limpid, and 

 without peculiar taste or smell, but is said to acquire both if bottled 

 up a few hours. Over the fountain heads, two little ranges of brick 

 buildings, each divided into several rooms (three I think in one, and 

 four in the other, or three in each), are built to protect the baths from 

 rain or from dust : the water is lodged in hollows of the rock, with 

 a brick facing, in which there is a square outlet to permit it to run 

 out freely ; so that through each basin there is a constant stream 

 passing, and not communicating with any other. The quantity of 

 hot water is so great, that on flowing out of the baths, with the 



