NOTICES OP BOLIVIA. 173 



others much narrower. From the surface to the bottom, does 

 not exceed a hundred and fifty feet. The gangue of these 

 mines is either granite or carburet of iron. 



After indulging our curiosity, and selecting some pieces of 

 ore to carry with us, we entered one of the little huts where 

 the servant had deposited the basket of provisions. Five in all 

 got inside, including our host, who was polite, and answered 

 readily the questions proposed to him. Exercise had given us 

 an appetite, and it was not long before the contents of our bas- 

 ket (of which also the host partook) disappeared. The hovel 

 contained a small chest, a dirty bed, and a small barrel, and 

 this was all the furniture. 



The ore is brought from the bottom of the mines upon men's 

 backs, in small sacks of hide, and the weight they thus carry 

 up rough ascents, difficult for us to climb unladen, is really 

 surprising. The athletic forms of these men, and their appa- 

 rent cheerfulness, caused my admiration as much as the se- 

 vere nature of their toil. There are forty men at work, who 

 are paid each a dollar a day, and considering the life they lead, 

 and the high price of provisions, it is not much. After being 

 culled, the ore is carried on mules and asses to Catica, to be 

 smelted or exported. On taking a view of the whole, I would 

 not give a few fertile acres in our happy country, for all the 

 mines of this province. 



As we descended the hill, we saw several small yellow birds 

 hopping amongst the stones, and picked up a few land shells. 

 About half past three we got back to Catica, all very tired, 

 and quite ready for a cool glass of wine and water, which was 

 kindly given us at the smelting house. Here one of the party 

 was requested to see a female afflicted with a dropsy, which is 

 the prevalent disease of the place, which is otherwise healthy. 

 As there is no medical man in Cobija, they are glad to avail 

 themselves of advice from any physicians who may chance to 

 visit the port. The only leech is the Sangrad&r, or bleeder at- 

 tached to the garrison, and possibly the curate may have some 

 smattering of the healing art. 



After resting an hour, and in vain endeavoring to procure a 

 mule, or horse, or ass, we set forward on foot for the town. 



