PAYTA. 



167 



produced it naturally at Huanca-velica.* Quick- 

 silver was discovered in Peru by the Spaniards 

 in 1567. Red lead^ or vermillion was used by 

 the Peruvians for their paintings. There is 

 scarcely a river in which gold is not to be found, 

 and the celebrated mountain of Potosi still con- 

 tains inexhaustible wealth in silver. The gums 

 and drugs, and precious woods with which the 

 country abounds, would not repay the old 

 Spaniards for exportation, on account of the 

 expense of navigation, combined with the 

 difficulties of internal communication arising 

 from want of roads. But the fine wool of the 

 Vicuna sheep brought a high price in the Spanish 

 market, and a great deal was sent to Spain on the 

 king^s account. The most approved sort of Pe- 

 ruvian bark is found in the valleys of Hualaga 

 in Bolivia, and of Loxa in the north of Peru. 



* These mines, from the year 1570 to 1789, produced 

 annually nearly 5000 quintals or pounds weight. 



