160 



PRODUCTIONS OF SANTA CRUZ. 



forty-two thousand two hundred and eighty-four whites, and twenty- 

 six thousand three hundred and seventy-three aborigines. Santa Cruz 

 is the rice-growing state of this country ; it being mostly situated in the 

 bottom of the Madeira Plate. Its climate is truly, tropical — both hot 

 and moist. It is well wooded and watered. Among the level lands 

 there are lakes, and on the road to the town of Matto Grosso, there are 

 alternately forests and plains covered with a growth of herd grass on 

 which cattle flourish. Tropical fruits are raised in the gardens of Santa 

 Cruz. The weavers of Cochabamba receive their cotton thence, as well 

 as sugar and molasses. Both coffee and chocolate are of excellent 

 quality, and some of the tobacco is equal to that of Cuba. The Nankin 

 cotton of China is produced of a bright color, and contrasts beautifully 

 with the white. The vanilla bean grows by the side of the Indigo plant. 

 The Indian cultivates the pea-nut along the sandy banks of the rivers. 

 The white man reports signs of cinnabar among the mountains at the 

 end of this ridge, where wheat, maize, potatoes, and grapes are found. 



The skins of spotted and black tigers are exported to the cold depart- 

 ments, with hides of horned cattle, horses, and the sloth. The feathers 

 and skins of rare birds, snakes, and lizards are gathered among forest 

 trees of the most brilliant colors. The cochineal insect has its place, 

 while different species of bees^supply the inhabitants with honey and 

 wax. 



The distance from the town of Santa Cruz to Cochabamba is one 

 hundred and seven leagues. The arrieros generally lag along the road 

 thirty days with a cargo of chocolate, coffee, and sugar, or with cotton 

 manufactures, glassware, and salt in return. The trip from Santa Cruz to 

 Cobija is made generally within three months by the way of Cochabamba 

 and Potosi ; the distance by the road being three hundred and forty-five 

 leagues. The return cargo may arrive in three months more, but it is 

 not certain that two trips to the Pacific coast and back can be made in 

 one year.' It must not be supposed a very exteosive foreign trade is 

 carried on with the department of Santa Cruz, though a most dense 

 population is found on its western border. When we look at the list of 

 productions in that region of country, we are struck with the independ- 

 ence of its inhabitants upon all external trade. A breakfast table in 

 Santa Cruz, constructed of beautiful cedar wood, is described, covered 

 with white cotton cloth, silver plates and dishes, with silver cups, forks, 

 and spoons ; coffee, sugar, cream, butter, corn and wheat bread, mutton, 

 eggs, a®d oranges, are all procluced'in the province. Beef is found on 

 the pampa, game in the woods, and fish in the rivers. Potatoes and all 

 the garden vegetables are raised upon the plantations. The arm chair 



