326 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES REGIONS. 



560 feet high, called by the natives Maraa-cuna. This eminence has been cut 

 into step terraces forming a pedestal to the whole group of buildings, the cliffs 

 facing seawards being painted red. Here Squier discovered a true arch, a feature 

 elsewhere unknown in native American architecture. 



The other palaces can no longer be recognised, Pachacamac having been first 

 plundered by Pizarro's followers, and then for 350 years exposed to the pickaxe 

 of treasure-seekers. According to a local legend, the Incas of Cuzco had a palace 

 at Pachacamac, and on the neighbouring beach were captured the fish destined 

 for the emperor's table. 



Since the opening of the Andes line Lima has obtained access to several 

 inland health resorts, such as Stirco, Matucana, San Mateo and Chicla, stations 

 presenting a succession of superimposed climates ascending from above the dusty 

 plains to the highest zones of rains and snows. 



South of Lurin and Chilea the seaboard assumes the aspect of a vast desert 

 interrupted at intervals by narrow oases, one of which, Canete, comprises some 

 of the richest plantations in Peru. Farther on, the shore-line curves round to the 

 south as far as the rocky headland of Paracas, which projects northwards and 

 is continued in the same direction by the Chincha Islands. Thus is inclosed a 

 somewhat sheltered basin, near which has sprung up the seaport of Fisco. 



This plaue is connected by a railway, 45 miles long, with Icn, which lies on 

 the Rio lea at the point where it emerges from the mountain gorges, and ramifies 

 in countless channels through the orchards, vineyards and pjlm-groves of the 

 surrounding plains. The famous wines of lea, although resembling Madeira, 

 and containing a large proportion of alcohol, are not exported to Europe, but 

 largely used in the preparation of highly appreciated liqueurs. From the name 

 of the seaport whence they are forwarded to various parts of South America, 

 the term " pisco " is now commonly applied to all brandies, and even to the 

 spirits extracted from sugar-cane. 



The Rio Chunchanga (Pisco), whose bed is mostly dry, and which reaches the 

 coast just north of Pisco, descends from a region of the cordiilera exceptionally 

 rich in argentiferous veins. The town standing at its source has taken the name 

 of Castrovireiii'j, in memory of the viceroy Castro's wife, to whom the owner of 

 the mines presented the silver pavement of the path which she had to follow in 

 order to attend the christening of his son. But most of the mines are now 

 abandoned, the richest having given way and crushed to death over 120 of the 

 hands engao-ed on the works. 



The Chincha Islands. 



The Chincha Islands fringing the coast at Pisco were till lately the centre of 

 an active trade. In his HMoria del Nuevo Mmulo the Jesuit missionary, Bernabé 

 Cobo, states that in stormy weather the air was darkened by the yellow dust of 

 the guano from these islands, which dust, falling on the surrounding plains, burnt 

 the vegetation and sterilised the ground. But the ancient Quichuas were well 



