DEFENCES OF THE ANCIENT MEXICANS AND PERUVIANS. 97 



were attributed to the Indians before they were reduced by the Incas. La Vega 

 describes the great fortress of Cuzco as constructed of three immense cyclopean 

 walls, built rather of rocks than stones, surrounding a hill. Acosta measured some 

 of the stones, and found them thirty feet in length, eighteen in breadth, and six 

 in thickness. The outer wall is said to have been twelve hundred feet in compass. 

 Through the walls were gateways, communicating with the interior, where, accord- 

 ing to La Vega, were three strong towers, two of which were square and one 

 round ; the latter appropriated to the use of the Incas, the former to the garrison. 

 Under the towers were subterranean passages of great extent. — (McCtiUoch, p. 

 272; Bradford, p. 169; Ulloa, Vol. 11., p. 457.) It was supplied with water from 

 a fountain in the centre. This is the fortress which so long resisted the attacks of 

 the Spaniards. Similar works exist near the village of Baiios, in Huamalies, occu- 

 pying the summits of two mountains, placed opposite to each other on either side 

 of the river. The sides of the mountains are divided into galleries, ranged one 

 above the other, in some places formed by artificial walls, and in others cut in the 

 solid rock. — (Mercurio, Peruano, Vol. V., p. 259; Stevenson, Vol. II., p. 100.) On 

 the road from Potosi to Tacua, are the ruins of an ancient Peruvian city. Upon 

 one side it is protected by a deep ravine, and on the other by a rampart, the 

 stones composing which are dovetailed together in a very singular manner. 

 Within the walls was a citadel, or place of last resort. — (Andrews^ Travels i7i S. A., 

 Vol. II., p. 161.) Ulloa mentions the ruins of a fortified palace of the Incas, near 

 Patasilca, one hundred and twenty miles from Lima. " The ruins are of very great 

 extent : the walls are of tempered clay, and about six feet thick. The principal 

 building stood upon an eminence, but the walls were continued to the foot of it, 

 like regular circumvallations ; the ascent wound round the hill, leaving many angles, 

 which probably sei-ved as outworks to defend the place. It is called Fortalesa, and 

 is supposed to have been a frontier point during the time of the Incas." — (Ulloa, 

 Vol II., p. 27 ; Stevenson, Vol. II., p. 23.) 



There are also evidences that, on the frontiers of cei'tain portions of Peru, were 

 constructed walls similar in design to that of Tlascalla. Such a one is said to 

 cross the valley of Guarmey. — {Ruschenherger, p. 361.) Analogous works exist in 

 C\u\\.—{Frezier, p. 262 ; Molina, Vol. II., pp. 10, 68.) 



The fortifications of Central America are very much of the same character with 

 those already described. Juarros gives an account of one of these situated upon 

 the river Socoleo. " The approach, as usual to such places, was by a single 

 entrance, and that so narrow as scarcely to permit a horseman to pass it. From 

 the entrance there ran on the right hand a parapet raised on the berme of the fosse, 

 extending along nearly the whole of that side ; several vestiges of the counterscarp 

 and curtain of the walls still remain, besides parts of other works, the use of which 

 cannot now be easily discovered. In the court-yard there stood some large columns, 

 upon which were placed quantities of pine wood, that being set on fire, gave light 

 at night to the surrounding neighborhood. The citadel of this great fortification 

 was in the form of a square graduated pyramid, rising twelve or fourteen yards 

 from the base to the platform on the top, which was sufficient to admit of ten sol- 

 diers upon a side, etc. Every part of this fortress was constructed of hewn stones, 

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