254 



MENDOZA. 



us across the Andes, by a pass called the Por- 

 tillo, said to be more picturesque than the 

 usual route, but only open to travellers 

 during the summer. The Uspallata pass, 

 which is the post route, is practicable the 

 greater part of the year ; but the scenery, I 

 am told, is less interesting than that of the 

 Portillo, and the route quite as difficult. 

 The only objection to the latter is that it 

 is somewhat longer, and there are two moun- 

 tains to ascend instead of one. For three 

 days we shall meet with no hut or habi- 

 tation; which is not the case by the Uspal- 

 lata pass, where there are several huts, 

 built at different places for the use of tra- 

 vellers. 



I had intended to visit a silver-mine in this 

 province ; but the lateness of the season makes 

 it prudent to lose no time in recrossing the 



