222 



TOWN OF SEQHURA. 



[1825. 



city was commenced in the valley of Targasale, and called St. Miguel 

 di Piura; but was afterward removed to its present situation on 

 account of the superior salubrity of air. What was gained in atmo- 

 sphere, however, was lost in soil by the change, for it now stands on a 

 sandy plain, though the adjacent country abounds in wood, and pro- 

 duces cotton, sugar, and maize. 



The houses of Piura are constructed either of bricks baked in the 

 sun, or of a kind of cane called quincas, and they are generally only one 

 story high. The population has been variously estimated by different 

 travellers, the mean of whose calculations would be about twelve 

 thousand souls. There is a fine hospital in the city, under the care of 

 the Bethlehemites. 



The climate is hot and dry, and it is seldom known to rain for ten 

 months out of twelve, though the sun is often obscured for many weeks 

 together. Still the country is by no means unhealthy. In ascending 

 the uplands between the river and the Andes, to the distance of ten 

 thousand feet above the sea, the climate seems to be a mixture of 

 spring and autumn; while still farther east, at the height of fifteen 

 thousand feet, commences the region of perpetual winter. Here active 

 volcanoes are burning and raging within, while all without is clad in 

 eternal ice. But my observations must be confined to a less elevated 

 region, near the seacoast. 



Here are immense forests of pine, cedar, acacia, and cecba-trees, 

 of gigantic growth, together with an abundance of others of rich and 

 valuable qualities for cabinet-work or dying. These forests are inhab- 

 ited by wild animals of various descriptions, and abound with birds of 

 beautiful plumage. Various kinds of reptiles and venomous insects 

 are found on the banks of the river, and the alligator is no stranger to 

 its waters. The sand of its banks is mixed with gold, which is annually 

 washed down from the mountains. In some seasons this river becomes 

 almost dry, and its tributary streams entirely disappear. 



The town of Sechura, as I have already stated, is built on the south 

 bank of the river, between two and three miles only from the ocean. 

 This town contains about three hundred houses and a handsome brick 

 church. The houses are principally constructed of cane or bamboo 

 basket-work, with sharp peaked roofs thatched with a tall grass peculiar 

 to the country, and though not very prepossessing either in their exte 

 rior appearance or interior accommodations, are nevertheless well 

 adapted to a climate where it seldom rains. 



The population of Sechura comprises about fifteen hundred inhabit- 

 ants, who are principally Indians, or a mixture of Spanish blood with 

 that of the Sana and Piura tribes. They constitute between four and 

 five hundred families, and are chiefly employed in fishing or driving- 

 mules. They are very poor, but extremely industrious and economical. 

 The women employ themselves, when other domestic avocations do 

 not prevent, in spinning, weaving, and making garments for their hus 

 bands and children. The men resort to an artificial mode of sustaining 

 their strength while at work without food. They chew the leaves of 

 a plant called coca, which they mix with a kind of chalk or white earth 

 called maubi. This is very nourishing, and when used freely will 



