48 Sketch of the Mine of Pasco. 



branches, as we have said, lies the plain of Bombon, fifteen leagues 

 in length, and differs in breadth from two to four leagues ; but it ex- 

 tends along the west, (not under the same name, however,) as far 

 as the mine of Cuypard, which distance is about eight leagues, but 

 is not so level as that of Bombon. It is situated four thousand and 

 sixty metres above the level of the sea, and the lake of Chinchayco- 

 cha is seven leagues long, and three broad. The river, called 

 Oroya, runs from it, and joins the Raucas, which has its source in 

 lake Alcacocha, these being tributaries of the Jauja. This plain is 

 similar in its form, situation, and other geological circumstances, to 

 that of Bogota, Lampa, and Mexico. A causeway was constructed 

 by the ancients, about two yards wide, and three and a half long, 

 paved with limestone, and is very serviceable in winter, when the 

 pampas are full of bogs. It is between the village of Carhuamayo 

 and the town of Junin. There is also a subterranean aqueduct 

 from the pasture grounds of Raeracancha, to Dambo Inga, the pal- 

 lace of the ancient Incas, the remains of which are found upon a 

 hill which runs through the pampa ; this served to conduct the 

 water when the Incas visited the diiFerent towns. At the extremity 

 of the pampa, in Bombon, towards the north, you meet with the 

 famous silver mine, called Colquijirca, which means a " mine of sil- 

 ver ; this is about three quarters of a league long, and half a league 

 broad. It is the principal ridge running through this pampa, belong- 

 ing to the Pasco mine. There are many villages in this plain ; also 

 the ancient city of Pasco, situated in the north east, near the skirts 

 of some ridges ; the celebrated town of Junin is in the southern ex- 

 tremity, half a league from the lake, totally in ruins, on account of 

 the war of Independence, and of the battle which took place on the 

 sixth of August, about three miles from the city, marking with posi- 

 tive signs, the restoration of our rights, and the complete overthrow 

 of the Spanish army. In time of slavery, these plains, which are 

 extremely fertile, were strewed with thousands of animals, as nume- 

 rous as the palm trees in the deserts of Egypt, and servmg as food 

 and clothing for man. 



All has been destroyed by the sword and the barbarity of the de- 

 fenders of tyranny, who burnt many towns. The mine of Pasco is 

 surrounded by many chains, which form a circumference ; in its cen- 

 tre are the rich mines of Yauricocher, Santa Rosa, and Yauracancha. 

 The range of mountains, which properly speaking, form a central 

 b]-anch with an elevation much less than the other two, encloses dif- 



