412 



APPENDIX. 



degrees of longitude, fixing the first meridian at the Peak of Tenerifi^e. These 

 dimensions being calculated, the result is a superficies of about eight thousand 

 square leagues, a space capable of containing, without inconvenience, a population 

 of about five millions of persons, by whom a most flourishing trade and intercourse 

 might be carried on. 



Its fecundity is equal to the prerogatives of its advantageous position. The east- 

 ern branch of the Cordillera of the Andes, which, running between the Huallaga 

 and the Mayro, unites this peninsula with Peru, and the difi^erent mountains 

 which, originating at the Cordillera, descend at various distances into the plain, 

 abound in that rich metal which ennobles man, which constitutes his fortune, and 

 which even acquires him, without effort, the sublime titles of wise, discreet, and 

 the rest of those eminent qualities that are wont to shine with diminished lustre 

 when viewed from beneath the humble garments of the poor. Washed down by 

 the rains, this noble metal shines amid the sands of the rivers, combined with the 

 hard flint which conceals the diamond, and with the precious shell in which the 

 pearl is stored. The multitude and variety of the fishes which play on the surface 

 of the waters, are not inferior to those of the beautiful and melodious warblers by 

 which the air is peopled, and to the diversity of the quadrupeds which browse on 

 the plains. It would be fortunate if the inse£b and reptiles were less numerous*. 

 If it be certain that there exists on the earth an irrational creature on whose fore- 

 head shines the star of the morningf, this favoured territory is without doubt the 



one 



* Tlie gold found in the Pampa del Sacramento is of the finest quality; and that which was disco- 

 vered by father Xara, in a broken ground below the stream named Huamancot, proved to be superior 

 to any in South America. — The pearls which are fished at the confluence of the river Mayobamba are 

 very large. — ^Among the fishes, the most remarkable is the sea cow, which commonly weighs about ten 

 quintals. — In the class of amphibia may be cited the tortoise : several of these animals have been met with 

 more particularly on the banks of the Ucayali (where the females lay and deposit each of them about 

 two hundred eggs), which measured two yards in length and one in breadth. — Among the reptiles, the 

 most formidable is the snake yacumama ; to which may be added several others, of an analogous nature, 

 stiled cazachras, in consequence of the various stratagems they employ when they surprize and attack 

 men and animals. — It has been asserted, that Nature having exhausted all the energy of her divine pencil 

 in colouring the plumage of the birds of our mountains, had denied them the harmony and melodious- 

 ness of voice which distinguish those of other climes. This is not corredl. There may be some among 

 them, as is the case every where, which stun and weary by their wild and uncouth notes ; but there are 

 many others which, from the morning's dawn to the close of day, stay the progress of the traveller by 

 their delightful warblings. 



f In all the districils to which a reference has been made, and more particularly in Lamas, it is re- 

 ported that there have been seen, on the mountains and banks of the Huallaga, small dogs of a particu- 

 lar 



