Ch. IX. SOUTH AMERICA. 447 



neither fpecies are handfome, but very gentle and do- 

 cile ; full of fpirit and intrepidity. 



CHAP. X. 



A Jhort Account of the many Silver and Gold Mines 

 in the Province of Quito ; and the Method of 

 extra^ing the MetaL 



TH E chief riches of the kingdom of Peru, and 

 the greateft part of the SpaniQi pofTeffions on 

 the continent, being the mines, which fpread their 

 ramifications through the whole extent of thefe coun- 

 tries; that province isjuftly accounted the moft va- 

 luable where the mines are moft numerous, or at 

 leaft where the greateft quantity of metal is pro- 

 cured. The fertility of the foil, the exuberant har- 

 vefts with which the labourer's toil is rewarded, would 

 lofe much of their advantage, had not the precious 

 contents in the bowels of the earth exercifed the 

 ingenuity of the miner. The fertile paftures which 

 fo richly cover the country are difregarded, if the 

 Hones upon trial are not found to anfwer the avi- 

 dity of the artifts : and the plentiful produdions of 

 the earth, which are in reality the moft excellent 

 gifts of nature, for the fupport and comfort of hu- 

 man life, are undervalued and flighted, unlefs the 

 mountains contain rich veins of a fine filver. Thus, 

 contrary to the nature of things, the name of rich 

 is beftovv'ed on that province where moft mines are 

 worked, though fo entirely deftitute of the other more 

 neceffary produdls, that the great number of people, 

 employed in the mines, are under a necelTity of being 

 fupplied from other parts : and thofe provinces, whofe 

 paftures are covered with flocks and herds, whofe 

 fields yield plentiful harvefts, and their trees bend 

 Leneath rich fruits, under the fertilizing influence of 



