INHABITANTS OP PERU, 



259 



that their life, health, and prosperity, as well as the fertility 

 of their grounds, depended on these idols, they recommended 

 to them, in their prayers, themselves, and all that they pos- 

 sessed. 



Not satisfied, however, with such protestors, they con- 

 trived lares, or household gods, who had the particular charge 

 of their families. These were considered as the proprietors of 

 the habitations ; and their ministry was implied by the names 

 oi conopas, or guasicamayoc'^', which were bestowed on them. 

 Their plantations, which they regarded as a considerable part 

 of their property, were not destitute of a divinity who was to 

 provide for their fertility, and for the abundance of the crops. 

 The compas^ were charged to contribute all the water requi- 

 site to the irrigation of their cultivated lands. It was the pro- 

 vince of the mamateras\ to multiply the maize, and to pre- 

 pare copious stores of grains. On the huancas^, as the pe- 

 culiar lords of such a portion of territory, it was incumbent to 

 alleviate the labours of the cultivators. 



Soliciting on every occasion the aid of the Divinity, they 

 sought to divide that which is indivisible, and to communicate 

 His essence to vile creatures deprived of every sensation, and 

 incapable of themselves to produce the smallest effe6ls. This 

 error prepared them for still greater ones, and led them to 

 disturb the manes of their forefathers. The san6luary of the 



* Lords of the house. 



t Stones, of which they required water. 



% Long cylindrical stones, of which abundant crops of maize were demanded. 

 § Large stones eredted in their plantations, and regarded by the Indians as their 

 tutelar deities. 



L 1 2 sepulchre 



