BOLIVIA. 



461 



IS in the northern part of the eastern chain, and rises from the centie of a group of nevados, 

 or snowy peaks, in 15° 30' south latitude. Its height has been found to be 25,400 feet. The 

 majestic summit of IHmani is situated in the Bohvian provinces of La Paz, and is the most 

 southern snowy summit of the eastern branch of the Andes, to which it belongs. It has 4 

 peaks on its summit, arranged nearly from north to south. The most northerly of these peaks 

 has been found to be at an elevation of 24,200 feet above the level of the sea. Between the 

 parallel of the Ilimani and the 21st degree of south latitude, the eastern Cordilhras do not pre- 

 sent a single summit which enters the limits of perpetual snow, though several rise to 16,000 feet. 



3. Rivers. The southwest extremity of Bohvia is watered only by small rivers, among 

 which is the Loa. The Desaguadero., the outlet of the lake of Titicaca, loses itself in the 

 sands. Of the other rivers we need only mention the JMamore and Guapore, heads of the 

 Madeira, the Pilcomayo, the Jlpurimac, the Beni, and the Paraguay. 



4. Lakes. The lake of Titicaca is situated in the high upland tract that lies between the 2 

 ranges of the Andes, and is elevated several thousand feet above the level of the sea. Its form 

 is very irregular. Its greatest length from northwest to southeast is 160 miles, while its gene- 

 ral breadth is hardly one third as much. It is navigated by the largest ships, but is subject to 

 tremendous storms and gusts of wind. 10 or 12 large rivers, and a number of small streams 

 fall into it. It has no visible outlet. Its water is turbid and disagreeable, but abounds in fish. 

 The shores of the lake are populous, being thickly planted with villages. There are several 

 islands in the lake, on the largest of which the Incas formerly had a magnificent temple dedi- 

 cated to the sun. The Indians have floating villages here, upon balzas, or rafts, in which they 

 pass from place to place. 



5. Climate. The diversity of climates in this country is very great, owing to the inequality 

 of the surface. The temperature of the western mountains and campos is very low ; epidemic 

 fevers are common in the northern districts. 



6. Soil and Productions. The central portion of this country possesses the greatest agri- 

 cultural capabihties ; its soil and productions are similar to those of Peru. 



7. Mines. The famous mine of Potosi now belongs to this State. The mountain in 

 which it is situated is called Ilatim Potosci, or " Father mountain." This mountain is of a 

 conical shape, 20 British miles in circumference, and 4,475 feet in height, above the surround- 

 ing country. The mountain of Potosi principally consists of a yellow and very firm argilla- 

 ceous schist, full of veins of ferruginous quartz, in which silver ore, and sometimes brittle 

 vitreous ore are found interspersed. There is also a grayish brown ore in which appear some 

 small grains and thin branches or veins of silver running along the layer of stone. This latter 

 ore is very rich, yielding from 18 to 20 marks per caxon of 5,000 lbs. weight. 



This wonderful mine was discovered in 1545, by a Peruvian named Hualpii, who, in pursu- 

 ing some goats, among the rocks, in his ascent, grasped a bush, whose roots giving way, disclos- 

 ed to his view an immense vein of silver, which since his time has been denominated " La iitca," 

 or " The Rich." For some time Hualpu concealed the discovery from all his friends, and 

 only resorted to this treasure to supply his occasional wants. The obvious change in his fortune, 

 however, had excited tlie suspicions of one of his Indian friends, who, with difficulty, wrung from 

 him the valuable secret ; but who, soon after, upon some quarrel with Hualpu, revealed it to 

 his master, a Spaniard. No sooner was it made known, than the mine was opened ; and it 

 was formally registered on the 21st of April, 1545. Since that time it has been constantly 

 wrought. The mountain is now almost entirely excavated, and is perforated with more than 

 300 pits, few of which, however, are more than 70 yards deep. It is now opened at the base, 

 and vaults, dug horizontally, penetrate into its interior, and meet the veins of silver. In these 

 vaults the air is cold and unwholesome ; and there the Indians, to the number of 2,000, work 

 alternately day and night, for the small wages of 2s. daily, deprived of the light and heat of the 

 sun, and entirely naked, to prevent them from embezzling any of the ore. On the first disco- 

 very of the mine of Potosi, the metal was much finer than at present. It is the abundance of 

 the ore alone which renders it worth working. What quantity of silver has been extracted from 

 Potosi from 1545 to the beginning of the present century, it is impossible precisely to deter- 

 mine. Various estimates have been given by different authors of acknowledged celebrity. 

 The table in the note is according to the most accurate computations.* 



* " The most flourishing period of the mines of Potosi, ed to C^l ,500,000, which supposes a produce of 1,490,000 

 during tlie period from 1556 to 1789, was that from 1585 or 882,000 marks, according as we estimate the piastre 

 to 1606 For several successive years, tlie royal 5th amount- at HA or 8 reals, equivalent to 12,f)65,000, or 7.497,000 



