SYSTEM OF AGUADAS. 



221 



bottom covered with mud several feet deep. The 

 Indians were in the habit of digging pits in it for 

 the purpose of collecting the water which filtered 

 through, and in some of these excavations they 

 struck upon an ancient well, which, on clearing it 

 away, was found to be of singular form and con- 

 struction. It had a square platform at the top, and 

 beneath was a round well, faced with smooth stones, 

 from twenty to twenty-five feet deep. Below this 

 was another square platform, and under the latter 

 another well of less diameter, and about the same 

 depth. The discovery of this well induced farther 

 excavations, which, as the whole country was inter- 

 ested in the matter, were prosecuted until upward of 

 forty wells were discovered, differing in their char- 

 acter and construction, and some idea of which may 

 be formed from the engraving that follows. These 



were all cleared out, and the whole aguada repaired, 

 since which it furnishes a supply during the greater 



