gi^ 4 V G Y A G E T O Book Yl 



lege pf GnanOj who are famed for their manufa<5lures 

 of worfted ftockings, and is indeed the only place in 

 the whole province where they ^re made. This in- 

 iiuftrious difpofition probably gave rife to the large 

 fiOcks of fheep iq thi? jurifdidlion, whence thefe ma- 

 Dufa6lories are never in want of wool. The foil is 

 very fertile, producing all kinds of gi*ain and pulfe ip 

 abundance. And here is moft frequently feen what 

 I have elfev/here Qpierved : That in one part the 

 hufbandmen are fowing, in another reaping ; the 

 landfcape alfo elegantly adorned with fuch an en- 

 chanting variety of colours as painting cannot ex- 

 prefs. 



In this jurifdi6lion is a large plain lying fouth of 

 the town of Tiocaxas, and famous for a battle be- 

 tween the Spaniards commanded by Belalcazar and 

 the puruayes Indians, before their courage had been 

 deprefied by the ominous explofion of the mpuntai^. 

 Both armies fought with great obftinacy^ though nei- 

 ther gained the vi6tory. 



The affiepto of Hambato {lands in a wide plain at 

 the bottom of a mountain. On the N, fide of it 

 runs a large river, over which a bridge has been built, 

 it being never fordabie on account of its depth and 

 jextrerne rapidity. It is finely fituated, and in extent 

 and populoufnefs nearly equal to Latacunga, the num- 

 ber of its inhabitants amounting to eight or nine 

 thoufand. The houfes are of unburnt bricks, well 

 contrived^ and make a good appearance. With re- 

 gard to their lownefs, it is owing to a difcreet pre- 

 Gaution againft the melancholy fhocks of earthquakes. 

 It has a parift- church, two chapejs of eafe, and a 

 fconvent of Francifcans. The earthquake which iiiadp 

 fuel) terrible hayock in the affiento of Latacunga, 

 prpved alfo fatal tp this. The e^rth near it opene^ 

 IP feverai places, of which there ftill rernains ai? 

 ailonifhjng monument on the S. fide of the afHentp, 

 |)^ing a chafa) four or five feet broad^ and about ^ 



league 



