TOPOGEAPHY OF PAEAGUAY. 



817 



and preached the gospel to the Guarani nation. The legend is probably of Jesuit 

 origin, for Paraguari was one of the missions founded by the Company of Jesus, 

 which here possessed immense herds of cattle. At present the district, which is 

 studded with numerous villages and farmsteads, occupies itself mainly with 

 tillao-e; its inhabitants have even developed some local industries, such as the 

 fabrkation of oils, sugar- making, and the preparation of starch. The women in 



Fig. 134.— Asuncion — Street View. 



several of the villages are skilful lace-makers; the people of Ita manufacture 

 earthenware, which is forwarded to the Buenos Ayres market, and those of 

 Yaguaron extract the essence of orange flowers. 



San Bernardino, the most important colony founded by the Government, has 

 been established in the district north of the lake, on the slopes and in the valleys 

 of the Cordillera de Altos. Most of the settlers, who are of German origin, devote 

 themselves to stock-breeding, brewing, and dairy-farming, making cheese, and 



