198 PHAON COMET HUMMING-BIRD. 



many inhabitants ; for here are found those won- 

 derful mines of gold and silver that were such a 

 source of wealth to the Spaniards. And here a 

 city was built, called Potosi, which is the most 

 elevated city in the world. 



The mountain on which the city stands is 

 pierced in every direction by the shafts of mines. 

 At night, when the mines were working, and used 

 to glow with the light of innumerable furnaces, 

 the sight was very grand indeed. 



At one time, more than fifteen thousand persons 

 were employed at the mines. But the veins of 

 ore are now less productive, and are comparatively 

 deserted. 



You may imagine the desolate state of the 

 country round Potosi ; nothing is to be seen but 

 bare rocks, covered with moss. The mountains 

 are tipped with perpetual snow. 



The poor Indian would fare badly enough, but 

 for certain plants, which are given by Nature for 

 his comfort. There is a plant which grows at a 

 great height above the sea, and in places where 

 no other seed or grain could ripen. It is called 



