TOPOGEAPHY. 



327 



and produdlions which are not to be found in the other parts 

 of the dependency of Tarija. This valley extends in the same 

 direction with the mission of las Salinas, by which it is pro- 

 tedled ; and is distant ten leagues only from the above- 

 mentioned appendage of Padcaya. 



As throughout the whole extent of the department of Tarija, 

 the natural fertility of the soil affords, without the aid of man, 

 abundant pastures, a great number of herds of cattle and flocks 

 of sheep are reared. In proportion as the different breeds are 

 augmented, they are driven to the confine, and sold to the in- 

 habitants of the province of Cinti. The annual transports of 

 black cattle alone are computed at little less than ten thousand 

 heads, which are valued at from eight to ten piastres each ; 

 and the cattle are no sooner slaughtered, than an advantage 

 is taken of the hides, which are tanned and prepared on the 

 frontier itself. In this manner, Potosi, Chuquisaca, and the 

 surrounding departments, are supplied with sole-leather to a 

 very considerable amount, each of the tanned hides producing 

 at least four piastres, notwithstanding the imports of that ar- 

 ticle from Cochabamba are equally great. The demands for 

 Spanish and colonial merchandizes annually exceed sixty thou- 

 sand piastres ; and the returns for these imports are made 

 in territorial produ6tions, and other effe6ls drawn from the 

 province. 



Amid these advantages, the inhabitants of the valley of Ta- 

 rija are extremely poor, on account of their propensity to idle- 

 ness. Relying on the comparative facility with which their 

 subsistence is procured, they spend their days beneath the 

 shade of their huts, in imitation of the inhabitants of Tucu- 

 man. The ridiculous notions relative to the distinguished no- 

 bility 



