75 



mac bridge of the Rio Chambo broke down all 

 at once. This was owing to a very dry wind 

 having succeeded long rains, in consequence of 

 which all the ropes gave way at the same time. 

 By this accident four Indians were drowned 

 in the river, which is very deep and extremely 

 rapid. 



The ancient Peruvians constructed also bridges 

 of wood, supported by piers of stone; though 

 they most commonly satisfied themselves with 

 bridges of ropes. These are extremely useful 

 in a mountainous country, where the depth of 

 the crevices, and the impetuosity of the torrents, 

 prevent the construction of piers. The oscilla- 

 tory motion might be diminished by lateral ropes 

 fastened to the middle of the bridge, and stretch- 

 ed diagonally toward the bank. It is by a 

 bridge of ropes, of extraordinary length, and on 

 which travellers may pass with loaded mules, 

 that a permanent communication has been esta- 

 blished between Quito and Lima, after uselessly 

 expending upwards of forty thousand pounds 

 sterling, to build a stone bridge, near Santa, 

 over a torrent, which rushes from the Cordillera 

 of the Andes. 



