1835.] INCAS BRIDGE. 335 
cemented together by the deposits of the neighbouring hot 
springs. It appears, as if the stream had scooped out a channel 
on one side, leaving an overhanging ledge, which was met by 
earth and stones falling down from the opposite cliff. Certainly 
an oblique junction, as would happen in such a case, was very 
distinct on one side. The Bridge of the Incas is by no means 
worthy of the great monarchs whose name it bears. 
5th.—We had a long day’s ride across the central ridge, from 
the Incas Bridge to the Ojos del Agua, which are situated near 
the lowest casucha on the Chilian side. These casuchas are round 
little towers, with steps outside to reach the floor, which is raised 
some feet above the ground on account of the snow-drifts. They 
are eight in number, and under the Spanish government were 
kept during the winter well stored with food and eharcoal, and 
each courier had a master-key. Now they only answer the pur- 
pose of caves, or rather dungeons. Seated on some little emi- 
nence, they are not, however, ill suited to the surrounding scene 
of desolation. The zigzag ascent of the Cumbre, or the partition 
of the waters, was very steep and tedious; its height, according 
to Mr. Pentland, is 12,454 feet. The road did not pass over any 
perpetual snow, although there were patches of it on both hands. 
The wind on the summit was exceedingly cold, but it was impos- 
sible not to stop for a few minutes to admire, again and again, 
the colour of the heavens, and the brilliant transparency of the 
atmosphere. The scenery was grand: to the westward there was 
a fine chaos of mountains, divided by profound ravines. Some 
snow generally falls before this period of the season, and it has 
even happened that the Cordillera have been finally closed by this 
time. But we were most fortunate. The sky, by night and by 
day, was cloudless, excepting a few round little masses of vapour, 
that floated over the highest pinnacles. I have often seen these 
islets in the sky, marking the position of the Cordillera, when 
the far-distant mountains have been hidden beneath the horizon. 
April 6th.—In the morning we found some thief had stolen 
one of our mules, and the bell of the madrina. We therefore 
rode only two or three miles down the valley, and staid there the 
ensuing.day in hopes of recovering the mule, which the arriero 
thought had been hidden in some ravine. The scenery in this 
part had assumed a Chilian character: the lower sides-of the 
