t6% A VOYAGE TO Book V, 



as before at Carthagena; but with this difference, 

 that at Quito the degrees of Meftizos are not carri- . 

 ed fo far back, for, even in the fecond or third gene- 

 rations, when they acquire the European colour, 

 they are confidered as Spaniards. The complexion 

 of the Meftizos is fwarthy and reddifh, but not of 

 that red common in the fair Mulattos. This is the 

 firft degree, or the immediate ifTue of a Spaniard 

 and Indian. Some are, however, equally tawny 

 with the Indians themfelves, though they are diftin- 

 guiihed from them by their beards : while others, on 

 the contrary, have fo fine a complexion that they 

 , might pafs for Whites, were it not for fome figns 

 which betray them, when viewed attentively. Among 

 . thefe, the moft remarkable is the lownefs of the fore- 

 head, which often leaves but a fmall fpace between 

 their hair and eye-brows at the fame time the hair 

 grows remarkably forward on the temples, extend- 

 ing to the lower part of the ear. Befides, the hair it- 

 felf is harlh, lank, coarfe, and very black ; their 

 nofe very fmall, thin, and has a little rifing on the 

 2T)iddle, from whence it forms a fmall curve, termi- 

 nating in a point, bending towards the upper lip. 

 Thefe marks, befides fom.e dark fpots on the body, 

 are fo conftant and invariable, as to make it very diffi- 

 cult to conceal the fallacy of their complexion. The 

 Meftizos may be reckoned a third part of the inhabi? 

 tantSo 



The next clafs is the Indians, who form about an- 

 other third and the others, who are about one fixth, 

 are the Cafts. Thefe four clafles, according to the 

 moft authentic accounts taken from the parifh regif- 

 ter, amount to between 50 and 60,000 perfons, of all 

 ages, fexes, and ranks. If among thefe clafTes the 

 Spaniards, as is natural to think, are the moft emi- 

 nent for riches, rank, and power, it muft atfthe fame 

 time be owned, however melancholy the truth m.ay ap- 

 pear, they ^re in proportion the moft poor, miferable 



