230 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



to our arrival in Peru. Lima, in consequence, was occupied by Chi- 

 lian troops; and in many respects, Peru was a conquered country. 

 At a religious procession, I had the opportunity of viewing the mili- 

 tary forces of both nations; and of remarking the much greater mix- 

 ture of physical race among the Peruvian troops; even after allowing 

 for the influence of recent events, in filling the ranks in an unusual 

 manner from the Aboriginal stock. According to the census of 1803, 

 the unmixed Whites at that time composed little more than one eighth 

 of the population of Lower Peru. What change may have since taken 

 place, I am uninformed ; but I remarked an obviously greater propor- 

 tion of Whites in the city of Lima, which is the principal resort of 

 foreigners. 



Amid the general analogy to the dress and customs of Chili, some 

 particulars have evidently been derived from the aboriginal inhabi- 

 tants ; tocrether with certain gross usages, which cannot foil to arrest 

 the attention of the stranger. 



The country-women are often seen mounted upon donkeys; and 

 their peculiar mode of riding, and the ease and grace with which 

 they descend and remount, have been much admired ; while the 

 broad-brimmed hat, the small cigar, and the knife which report 

 places in the stocking, give them a striking air of independence. 



There were also circumstances, that brought to mind the early date 

 of the settlement by Europeans; such as the novelty in America, of a 

 walled city ; and the Moorish costume of the higher class of females, 

 even to the concealment of the face when they appear in public. 



At the distance of only twelve degrees from the Equator, I did not 

 anticipate finding cloaks in common use. It is true, we had arrived 

 in what was called the ' cool season ;' but the sky throughout the year 

 is very generally overcast, and in addition to the frequent drizzle, 

 there is a prevalent feeling of moisture in the atmosphere. There 

 are, however, no proper rains, and provision against running water, 

 has been found unnecessary in the streets and buildings. The ex- 

 tremes of cold and heat, appear to be nearly 60° and 85° of Fahren- 

 heit; and during our stay, (which included June and the beginning 

 of July,) we uniformly found the morning temperature below 70°; 

 yet we often heard complaints of the variableness of the climate. 



Litermittent fevers are rather frequent, but otherwise, the country 

 appeared healthy; although it is evidently less so, than Chili. The 

 market is abundantly supplied with an immense variety of articles; 



