i6b AVOYAGETG Book VII. ' 



h Bifhopric of the audience of charcas. 

 La Paz. 



The provinces or jurifdidlions in the diocefs of Paz, 

 art the fix following. 



I. La Paz. IV. Laricaxas. 



II. Omafuyos. V. Chucuito. 



III. Pacagcs. VI. Paucar-Colla. 



I. The jurifdidion of la Paz, is of no great extent, 

 and the city almoft the only place worth notice in it. 

 In the adjacent cordiliera is a mountain of remarkable 

 height, called Illimani, which doubtlefs contains im- 

 nicnfe riches. A crag of it being fome years fincc 

 ftruck from it by a flafh of lightning, and falling on 

 a neighbouring mountain, fuch a quantity of gold was 

 found in the fragments, that for fome time that metal 

 was fold at Paz, at eight pieces of eight per ounce. 

 But its fummit being perpetually covered with ice 

 and fnow, no mine has been opened in this mountain. 

 The fame we have already obferved of thofe high 

 mountains in the province of Quito, Vol. I. all at- 

 tempts having been rendered abortive. 



II. North-west, and almoft at the gates of Paz, 

 the jurifdi6lion of Omafuyos begins, and extends 

 about 20 leagues, being bounded on the weft by the 

 famous lake of Titi-caca, or Chucuito, of whkh a 

 farther account will be given in the fequel. The air 

 here is fomewhat cold, fo that it produces little grain ; 

 but that deficiency is abundantly compenfated by the 

 great numbers of cattle ; befides an advantageous 

 trade for fifh, carried on in other provinces by the 

 Indians living on the borders of the lake, who are 

 very induftrious in improving that advantage. 



III. Almost fouth- weft of Paz, is the jurifdicftion 

 of Pacajes, the greateft part of which being in a cold 

 climate, produces little grain or fruits fo that the in- 

 habitants apply themfelves to the breeding of cattle. 

 This province is however very rich in filver mines, 

 though but a fmali part of them are \vorked ^nd it is 



' known 



