210 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES EEGIONS. 



connected with the southern Quichuas by their customs and traditions, the 

 Pastusos constitute an original ethnical group differing greatly from the other 

 inhabitants of Colombia. Their city, the " Lioness of the Andes," remained 

 loyal to the crown of Spain for over ten years after the declaration of inde- 

 pendence in the other provinces, and surrendered to Bolivar only after the 

 sanguinary battle of Bomhona, on the slopes of the Pasto volcano. 



The Pastusos have their special industries, and their ruanas (ponchos or 

 smocks), made of w^ool, cotton, or other durable fabrics, are noted for their fast 

 colours, which are fixed with ashes, the juice of wild lemons, and the sulphuric 

 acid obtained from the sulphur of the neighbouring volcanoes. 



Barhacoas, the chief place in the lower Patia basin, lies on the Telembi affluent, 

 which, like the mainstream itself, is navigable by steamers. From Barhacoas to 

 Tuquerres, the nearest town on the plateau, the route ascends a height of 10,000 

 feet by sharp zigzags, over precipices, across ravines and narrow gorges. At some 

 of the more diflBcult points the pack animals are replaced by men, the so-called 

 cargueros or estriberos, who carry goods and even passengers on their backs secured 

 by leather straps passed round their foreheads. 



Tumaco, the port of Barhacoas, lies on an islet a little to the north-east of the 

 mouth of the Eio Mira. This place has lost much of its traffic since the tagua, or 

 vegetable ivory, till recently the staple of its export trade, has fallen in price 

 on the German markets. Some other islets on this coast are completely unin- 

 habited. 



With the marine custom-house of Tumaco, towards the Ecuador frontier, cor- 

 responds the inland custom-house of Ipiales, a station standing at an elevation of 

 10,110 feet on the Males affluent of the Guaitara. But the traffic of this place 

 is insignificant, doubtless owdng to the development of the contraband trade 

 between the conterminous states. 



Material Condition of Colombia. 



The population of the republic continues steadily to increase from year to year, 

 and from decade to decade, despite the murderous civil wars, the insalubrity of 

 the low-lying plains and of the hot moist valleys. The period Avithin which the 

 inhabitants are doubled may be estimated at about fifty years. This movement, 

 although much slower than in the United States, Chili, Argentina and Uruguay, 

 is far more rapid than in Bolivia and Peru. In the department of the Cauca the 

 increase has been eightfold, and in Antioquia twelvefold, since 1778. The coloni- 

 sation of the interior, spreading chiefly from Antioquia, proceeds, if not rapidly 

 at least continuously, every inland town forming a little centre of dispersion for 

 the surrounding districts. A century ago the Antioquians represented a seven- 

 teenth, at present (1893) they constitute no less than one fifth, of the entire popu- 

 lation. 



Of all the departments Panama alone has received any large number of emi- 

 grants, negroes from Jamaica, Chinese, Europeans, all in connection with the 



