208 



SOUTH COAST OF PERU. 



in the neighbourhood ; but the ground being co- 

 vered with a snow-white powder, threw up so dis- 

 agreeable a reflection, that we were forced to re- 

 turn half blinded by the glare, and choked with 

 dust. This powder, which, we were informed, was 

 many years ago thrown out from the great volcano 

 of Arequipa, covers the whole country to a con- 

 siderable extent. 



On the 20th we left MoUendo, and sailed along 

 the coast with a fresh and fair wind, till the even- 

 ing of the 24th of June ; when we anchored in 

 Callao Roads, after a passage of twenty-nine days 

 from Valparaiso. 



