MINERALOGY. 



61 



HISrORlCiVL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MOUNTAINOUS 

 TERRITORY OF LAURI-COCHA, VULGARLY DENOxVIJNATED PASCO. 



Nature, constantly admirable in her combinations, has 

 counterpoised the value of her benefits with the difficulty 

 of acquiring them. In conformity to this law, the oyster 

 sinks into the abyss of the ocean, and clings to the sunken 

 shelf, to hide the precious pearl it contains. The diamond is 

 formed in the hard substance of the rock, or in the sandy 

 beach, which the impetuous torrent laves. Gold and silver, 

 those representatives of all human riches, independently of 

 their stores being hidden in the bowels of the earth, are not in 

 general produced unless in the most rigid temperatures, and 

 in the most deserted soils. The richest mines are those which 

 are comprehended in the rugged contexture of mountains sel- 

 dom divested of snow, and surrounded by the dismal prospe6t 

 of a steril and naturally uninhabitable country. Potosi, Cail- 

 loma, Piedra-Parada, Pasco, &c. may be adduced in proof 

 of this assertion. It is, however, best evinced by the latter, 

 the description of which follows. 



This mineral territory is properly entitled the mountain of 

 St. Stephen of Lauri-Cocha. It is situated at the northern 

 extremity of the plains of Bombon, and is surrounded by other 

 small mountains which constitute a part of the great Cordil- 

 lera. Its soil is unfertile, and the climate extremely rigid. 

 The barley, the only grain that springs up, which is there 

 sown, does not ripen in the blade. Rains and snows fall con- 

 stantly during six months of the year ; and the other six are 

 marked by severe frosts, with storms of thunder at intervals. 



The 



