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APPENDIX. 



defence, in front of the fortification, consisting of loose round stones, about three 

 feet in diameter, placed high, and so balanced as to be easily precipitated below. 

 On the plain surface of the rock are various ruins of square buildings and edifices, 

 of considerable size, which were probably the ancient barracks. In the point dia- 

 metrically opposite the entrance, is a sally-port or postern, for furnishing the fort 

 with men and provisions, or to facilitate a forced retreat." 



Near the village of Molcaxac are the remains of an ancient fortress, much resem- 

 bling that here described. It occupies the summit of a mountain, and consists of 

 four concentric walls of great strength and solidity. — (De Solis, Book II., p. 139.) 

 Another fortress of similar character is mentioned by Clavigero as existing at 

 Guatusco, twenty-five miles north of Cordova. It consists of high walls of stone, 

 and is only entered by high and narrow flights of steps. 



Although the above examples may serve to convey a very good idea of the 

 nature of the defensive structures of the Mexicans, it is yet to be regretted that so 

 brief and imperfect accounts of them have been transmitted to us by the early 

 writers. While we are constantly assured of their existence, their great extent 

 and vast strength, we are left in the dark in respect to their details. 



More is known concerning the military works of Peru, and all accounts concur 

 in representing them as clearly resembling those already described. According to 

 Ulloa, a method of fortification existed, nearly allied to that practised by the 

 ancient Celts. It consisted in digging three or four ranges of moats quite around 

 the tops of high and steep mountains, protecting them on the inside by walls of 

 earth or stone. These were called pucuras ; and, in some of them, the outer cir- 

 cumvallation is represented as having been upward of three miles in extent. In 

 respect to their number, he asserts that one scarcely meets with a mountain with- 

 out them. — {Ulloa, Vol. I., p. 504; Vol. II., p. 113.) Some were composed of 

 rough stones, without arrangement; others of adobes. The more irregular of these 



