474 



APPENDIX. 



Wc conclude by the observation, that in the spaces already discovered, elevated 

 grounds of a considerable extent, overspread with cinchona trees, w^hich were 

 unknown to the ancient inhabitants of these mountainous districts, are to be found. 

 Large plantations of cacao which, at the end of three years, will afford two annual 

 crops, may be made in different parts ; and, independently of the superior quality 

 of the produce, it may be conveyed to Lima at a less expence than attends that 

 which is sent by sea from Guayaquil. The anil and anotto are collected at all 

 seasons ; the coca and cotton yield two crops annually ; and the sugar-cane ripens 

 within the year. The tobacco is said to be of so excellent a quality, that there 

 cannot be any doubt of its cultivation being allowed, for the purposes of commerce. 

 In such a case, this site alone will suffice to keep within the kingdom, the consi- 

 derable sums now exported to the Havannah for the purchase of that commodity. 

 There are spots well adapted to the cultivation of rice, beans, almonds, every de- 

 scription of esculent plants, and fruits for the dessert, not omitting the pine-apple. 

 The breeds of cattle may not only be made to supply the wants of the population 

 of the adjacent mineral territories, but may likewise contribute towards the re- 

 sources of the capital, which draws a part of its supplies of this description from 

 Conchucos, situated in a more remote part of Peru. The maize flourishes where* 

 ever it is sown ; and its plants are so fruitful, that scarcely a spike or ear can be 

 found which measures less than a foot in length. Wheat cannot be cultivated, 

 unless at Chapacra but the want of this grain will not be felt, because it is pro- 

 cured from the high lands at a very cheap rate, and because th: Indians prefer the 

 yucas, which grow to a very large size, to bread. Either boiled or toasted, they 

 are highly relishing ; as are likewise the plantains, of which there are several 

 varieties, all of them delicious, and more particularly the small red plantain of 

 Otaheite, which has been already introduced. 



We pass over the wax, the honey, the singular trees, and other valuable pro- 

 duftions; together with the rich lavatories* (lavaderos) of gold, which were not 

 subjefted to any trials by Bezares, who, it should be observed, was so much oc- 

 cupied by his enterprise, that he had scarcely time to take a cursory view of the 

 mines he had discovered. We could dwell with enthusiasm on the cinnamon, 

 which may be rendered so lucrative ; on the balsams, vanillas, and numberless 

 other productions that may be drawn from the Plains of the Sacrament, and 

 principally from the part situated on this side of the Cordillera by which they are 



» So called, because the Indians extradl the gold from the sands of the rivers, by washing them is 

 small wells dug for that purpose* — Ulka. 



intersefted. 



