ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following pages are the result of observations made 

 during two cruises in the Pacific Ocean, one of more than three 

 years, on board of the U. S. S. Brandywine, from August 

 1826, to October 1829, and the last on board of the U. S. S. 

 Falmouth, from June 1831, to February 1834, and recorded 

 with a hope of making my countrymen better acquainted with 

 some of the peculiarities of their southern neighbors. 



As far as the nature of the work would permit, the author 

 has avoided obtruding himself upon the attention of the reader, 

 and has indulged in but few reflections ; being content to pre- 

 sent naked facts, and allow each one to dress them for himself, 

 and draw his own conclusions. The merits of the perform- 

 ance, with its many imperfections, remain to be decided by the 

 public, from whom is claimed all the indulgence usually accord- 

 ed to novices in undertakings of the kind. 



djT The word "huaca," which occurs several times in the ** Notices of Pe- 

 ru," is pronounced as if it were written waca. The words in Spanish, which 

 begin with hua and Jua, are pronounced as if written with W j thus, Huanchaco 

 is pronounced Wanchaco; Juanita, Wanita, &c. 



