10 



GUANDO. 



near ; and specimens of magnetic iron were collected from a mountain 

 H league to the northeast of the town. The "Matico" bush is found 

 here. Many stories are told of the effects of this medicinal plant, which 

 has been in use as a tea among the Indians, and as a poultice for 

 wounds. 



Iscuchaca is pleasantly situated amidst wild mountains, which seem 

 to lock it up. The Juaja winds its way towards the Atlantic, while we 

 climb a steep towards the Pacific. 



The water of a rapid stream is somewhat salt, and its temperature 

 50°, while the air was 65°. Many fine mules are dashing down the 

 narrow road. The drover tells me he is from lea, bound to the Cerro 

 Pasco mines, where he trades mules- for silver. 19a is situated inland 

 from Pisco, on the coast. 



Among the mountains, at the top of a dangerous, and precipitate 

 pass, there is a wooden cross, erected by the people in. the neighborhood. 

 Travellers universally take off their hats as they pass, praying for a safe 

 passage, or feeling thankful for one. The women often decorate these 

 emblems with wreaths of flowers, cross themselves devoutly, and pass 

 on. Jose begged me to hang the mountain barometer to one arm of 

 the cross. While I took the reading of it, he looked on in great admi- 

 ration. 



The small Indian town of Guando is the first we have seen built of 

 stone. It is situated high up on the mountains, and presents a most 

 dilapidated appearance. On one side of a narrow street, little school 

 boys were seated, saying their lessons to the teachers, who were on 

 the opposite sijde. As we passed between them, the boys all rose and 

 bowed politely. Among the inhabitants were an unusual number of 

 elderly women. The temptation was great to ask their ages ; but as 

 some dislike questions of that sort, I might make an enemy without 

 getting a fact. An Indian hut in the valley sketches the inhabitants. 

 Jose appears between th« man and his wife, telling them, in the 

 Quichua language, that I live far off to the north, and want to show 

 the people there what kind of people are here. The old Indian chews 

 an extra quantity of coca leaf. The woman looks astonished, and the 

 child is disgusted, though all stand still as they are told. The man was 

 employed threshing barley with a long pole. The woman was cooking, 

 and the child playing with the dog, when we arrived. The nights are 

 very cold, the days warm and pleasant. To a church and few houses 

 near the road has been given the name of Acobambilla. The Indians 

 around answer the bells to prayers. 



We ascend the top of the mountain and see perpetual snow in all 



