256 PERU. 



ing the spots where there had been loss of life : a sight that was not 

 calculated to excite pleasing thoughts, and bringing to mind not only 

 the great number of murders that had taken place, but the daily 

 occurrence of attacks upon small parties of travellers by the despera- 

 does of Peru. 



Immediately on the confines of this dreary waste is Yanga, a 

 deserted-looking place, but having some good gardens and orchards. 

 At noon they reached Santa Rosa de Quivi, a small place, where they 

 procured some good fruit. After travelling two leagues, they at dark 

 reached Yaso, and stopped at the postmaster's house ; he was not at 

 home, but they were permitted to sleep in the porch or veranda. No- 

 thing edible was to be found in the village, except a few potatoes, after 

 supping on which they disposed themselves on the clay and stones, 

 with their arms ready for service, — a precaution necessary at times, 

 even in the most frequented places, in Peru. 



During the day, they had been much annoyed by sand-flies, and 

 fleas were as usual in myriads at night ; besides these, they had a few 

 musquitoes, but the latter are seldom felt in Peru. 



The screaming of parrots during the night had announced that 

 some change had taken place in the vegetation. In the morning they 

 found this to be the case. The land in the vicinity of the town was 

 cultivated, and some good orchards and fields of clover were seen ; 

 the mountains, which had hitherto been gray with Tillandsias, had 

 now assumed a greenish tinge. Agaves made their appearance here, 

 and a few miles beyond, the hills became entirely green : all showed 

 that a different region had been entered. The inclined roofs of the 

 huts proved that rains were experienced, and that it was found neces- 

 sary by the inhabitants to protect themselves from them. 



The valley had now become more contracted, and level ground was 

 seldom seen ; the mountains increased in elevation, the roads and 

 scenery partaking of the character of Madeira. Cascades were seen 

 springing from almost the very summits of the high peaks ; cattle were 

 grazing, and occasional cultivated patches were mingled with the 

 pasture-grounds ; the aid of irrigation was no longer necessary ; and 

 the Cordillera plants of the Flora Peruviana, with the vegetation made 

 known by Humboldt and Bonpland, were recognised^ At noon, after 

 travelling six leagues, they reached Obrajillo, the rendezvous of the 

 two celebrated Spanish botanists, Ruiz and Pavon, authors of the 

 Flora Peruviana. 



There are three towns, Obrajillo, Canta, and San Miguel, about a 

 mile distant from each other, said to contain three or four thousand 

 inhabitants. At Obrajillo, the general to whom they had letters of 



