322 



TOPOGRAPHY. 



from Potosi sixty leagues, and is the capital of the department. 

 Its inhabitants, among whom are many Spaniards, are sup- 

 ported by the gold and silver mines of Choroma, Estarca, and 

 other districts : they likewise a6t as carriers. Its agriculture, 

 which finds a greater impediment in the local disposition of 

 the territory, than in the temperature of the air, scarcely 

 affords a small portion of maize, wheat, and papas*. 



At the side of Tupiza, and on the same parallel respedllvely 

 to Potosi, lies the third parochial distridl, denominated Gran- 

 Chocaya, in a temperature very similar to that of Pasco -f. It 

 contains several good mines, which are, however, but little 

 wrought, on account of the want of Spaniards. It abounds in 

 sheep and huanacos ; but in other respe6ts the soil is unproduc- 

 tive, insomuch, that its derives the greater part of its subsist- 

 ence from the succours afforded by the fertility of the adjacent 

 spots of territory. 



Santiago de Cotagaita is distant thirty-four leagues from 

 Potosi, whither its inhabitants convey the produce of the char- 

 coal they burn. By this branch of traffic, which is highly 

 profitable, and by the carriage of goods, they are enabled to 

 subsist. Its position, which lies between a river and a swampy 

 tra6t on the route of Buenos Ayres, is incommodious ; but it 

 boasts a benign temperature. Its population is very numerous, 

 and consists principally of mestizos, with a few Spaniards and 

 Indians. 



The fifth and last parochial distri6l of la Puna is Calcha, 

 distant from Potosi twenty leagues. Its native inhabitants 



* Potatoes. 



t See p. 6 1, et sequent. 



apply 



