SCANTY SUPPLY OF WATER. 



255 



the extraordinarj caves and hollows in the rocks from 

 which the inhabitants at this day drink, they must 

 have been entirely dependant upon artificial fount- 

 ains, and literally upon the rain that came down from 

 heaven. But on this point there is one important 

 consideration. The aborigines of this country had 

 no horses, or cattle, or large domestic animals, and 

 the supply required for the use of man only was 

 comparatively small. Perhaps at this day, with 

 different wants and habits, the same country w^ould 

 not support the same amount of population. And, 

 besides, the Indian now inhabiting that dry and 

 thirsty region illustrates the effect of continual scar- 

 city, h^bit, and training, in subduing the appetites. 

 Water is to him, as to the Arab of the Desert, a 

 scarce and precious commodity. When he puts 

 down the load from his back, his body streaming 

 with perspiration, a few sips of water dipped up in 

 the palm of his hand from a hollow rock suffice to 

 quench his thirst. Still, under any circumstances, 

 the sources of supply present one of the most inter- 

 esting features connected with the discovery of 

 these ruined cities, and go to confirm belief in the 

 vast numbers and power, as w^ell as the laborious 

 industry of the ancient inhabitants. 



It was late on Saturday afternoon when we 

 reached Mani. The guarda of Indians had served 

 their term of a week in attendance at the casa real, 

 and were now retiring from office, as usual all in- 

 toxicated, but we got a large room swept out, had it 



