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A VOYAGE TO Book YIL 



all the other calls. Among the former are feveral 

 very rich and diitinguiilied families. All in general 

 are very civil and friendly, and regular in their con- 

 dud:. The women in their drefs and cuftoms follow 

 nearly thofe of Lima, an account of which will be 

 given in the fequel. Great number of chaifes are feen 

 here, there not being a family of any credit without 

 one ; as the fandy foil is very troublefome in walking. 



In this clim.ate, there is a fenfible difference be- 

 tween winter and fummer, the former being attend- 

 ed with cold, and the latter with exceiTive heat. 

 The country of this \\hole valley is extreamly fruitful,, 

 abounding with fugar canes, maize, fruits, and 

 garden (tuff ; and with vineyards and olive yards^ 

 The parts of the country neareil the mountains pro- 

 duce wheat, barley, and other grain fo that the in- 

 habitants enjoy not only a plenty of all kinds of pro- 

 vifions, but alfo make conliderable exports to Pana- 

 ma, efpecially of wheat and fugars. This remaarka- 

 ble fertility has been improved to the great embel- 

 iifhment of the country fo that the city is furround-' 

 ed by feveral groves, and delightful walks of trees. 

 The gardens alfo are well cultivated, and make a 

 very beautiful appearance v/hich with a continual 

 ferene flcy, prove not lefs agreeable to travellers thaa 

 to the inhabitants. 



About a league from the city is a river, whofe 

 waters are conducted by various canals, through this 

 delightful country. We forded it on the 14th when 

 v/e left Truxillo ; and on the 5th, after pafiing thro' 

 Moche, we came to Biru, ten leagues from Truxillo. 

 The pafs of the corregidor of Truxillo muft be pro- 

 duced to the alcade of Moche, for without this, as 

 before at Sechura, no perfon would be admitted to 

 conrinue his journey. 



Biru, v/hich lies in 24' 59^' S. latitude, con- 

 fifis of 50 baxareque houfes, inhabited by 70 families 

 of Spaniards, Indians, Mulattoes, and Meftizos. 



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