TOPOGRAPHY. 



325 



these regions, is the ratio of the propagation of the human 

 species, which is such, that, either through the defe6l of a 

 sufficient space, or because it is not satisfied with the hmits of 

 the conquered territory, it proceeds, by a constant emigration, 

 to people the province of Tucuman. 



That of Tarija ib bounded, on the south, by the jurisdi6lion 

 of Juxui ; on the north, by that of the cities of Pilaya and 

 Pispaya, which were formerly very flourishing, but are now, 

 according to report, in a ruinous condition ; on the west, by 

 the plains inhabited by the unconquered Indians ; and on the 

 east, by the very considerable river named San Juan, which 

 separates it from the department of Chichas, and the vale of 

 Cinti. It is divided into four parochial distri6ts, namely, 

 San Bernardo de Tarija, San Lorenzo, which was formerly 

 named Old Tarija, la Cancepcion, and Chahuaya. 



San Bernardo, a city peopled by Spaniards, has a secular 

 administration, a mother church, and the four convents which 

 have been already pointed out. It is situated in a delightful 

 plain, well supplied with water, and occupies a perfe6tly level 

 surface. The adjacent territory is extremely fertile, but is ex- 

 clusively applied to the culture of maize, and the rearing of 

 herds of swine. This produce is, as well as the woods that 

 are felled, and other commercial obje6ts of a similar nature, 

 expended in la Sierra. 



San Lorenzo, at the foot of the mountains, distant ninety- 

 seven leagues from Potosi, and three from Tarija, enjoys a 

 similar temperature and fertility. Its territory, comprehending 

 a part of la Puna, was originally regulated at about twelve 

 square leagues. Much as it has been since augmented, it has 

 a competent population of Spaniards. At the commencement, 



the 



