I 



DISTRIBUTION OF VEGETABLE LIFE. 155 



of 5,129, and is situated on one of the tributaries of the river Bermejo, 

 which flows through the Argentine confederation into the Paraguay. 

 My impressions, from information, are that the Bermejo is a deeper and 

 a slower-motioned stream than the Pilcomayo, and that small sail-vessels 

 may reach the town of Oran, a short distance south of the southern 

 boundary of Bolivia. We are not, however, as certain of this as we are 

 that the Pilcomayo has been reported not navigable in Bolivia. There 

 is a wide field for exploration on La Plata. Grape-vines produce luxuri- 

 ously in Tarija, and there the Paraguay tea — "yerba del Paraguay," is 

 found. Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and Tarija, are the corn-growing de- 

 partments of this country ; Potosi and La Paz are the potato districts. 



The distribution of vegetable life, as presented to us in their elevated 

 regions, places the potato the highest ; the other plants run down in 

 order — quinua, barley, wheat, coffee, and sugar-cane. Therefore the 

 inhabitants on this side of the mountains have a self-sustaining supply 

 without looking to other countries for sugar, wine, flower, potatoes, or 

 tea; and the varieties of animal life offer them mutton and wool 

 from the highlands, with beef and tallow candles from the steppe, on 

 which exists the most dense population. 



Our mules rested, and our breakfast over, we mount and slowly 

 struggle upwards again ; the bright sun shines clear upon the city below, 

 while we have a cloudy day. It is interesting to see from under this 

 cloudy curtain the beautiful natural-colored scene on this stage of won- 

 derful creation. The panorama brilliantly lighted by the sun, which 

 sparkles on the waters of the river as they clash along among the deep 

 green foliage. The lakes are like mirrors, only rippled by the green 

 breast of the wild duck. A long train of mules winds along the road 

 from the Pacific ; we just hear the great bell of the cathedral toll, hen 

 the clouds unroll and fall, shutting out light and view, as a mckuxlain 

 eagle shrieks. The scene soon changes as we climb higher up among 

 the bare-headed rocky peaks ; on our left is one gray with the snows of 

 perpetual winter ; on the right a great avalanche of earth has fallen from 

 the crown of a mountain into the ravine, as though blown off by the 

 prevailing* winds from the opposite side. The jackasses we meet are 

 loaded with fire-wood and charcoal, from an extensive growth on the 

 eastern face. The Indians wear long hair on the back of the head, and 

 never cultivate a growth on their faces. 



The water draining from the snow forms the Lake Uarauara, which 

 is dammed up at its outlet during the rainy season, and let out gradually 

 in the dry, for the supply of Cochabamba. The chart will show its 

 height above the city. We were disappointed in not finding game ; 



