PAYTA. 



139 



is six leagues from the porf^ and they are gene- 

 rally driven back the same night. Neither 

 reptile nor insect^ with the exception of the 

 mosquito and the common fly^ is known in the 

 neighbourhood. The dogs of the town have 

 been known to migrate to the river^ during 

 the great heats^ merely to drink. Water is 

 of course a precious article^ and it is the 

 fashion for the natives to say^ that it is better 

 economy to drink wine. 



The climate is not so oppressive as one would 

 imagine from its vicinity to the equator. It is 

 considered the best climate in Peru. The 

 greatest defects are want of water^ and a steril 

 soil. The latter is a light-coloured sand, 

 which reflects painfully the rays of the sun. I 

 am told, however, that the town is remarkably 

 healthy, to the great damage of a Scotch 

 doctor established here, who has very little 

 practice. There are two or three thriving 



VOL. II. G 



