346 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



ravines, are large white patches, consisting of ashes, thrown 

 out many years since from a volcano, which, from the sea, 

 have the appearance of light drifted snow, partially melted. 



The landing place differs from any thing of the kind that I 

 have seen anywhere on the coast. The shore of the whole bay, 

 or rather roadstead, is bounded by irregular rocks about two 

 hundred feet high, and nearly perpendicular ; so that even if a 

 landing be effected, their top is almost inaccessible. At the 

 base of a rocky mass with square faces, rising out of the sea, 

 and about ten feet high, and separated from the main by a nar- 

 row channel, there is a floating stage, or as it is technically 

 called, a camel. A horizontal stage, supported by stanchions 

 and chains, juts out from the top of the rock, having a vertical 

 shutter or midriff floating from its edge. The ascent from the 

 camel to the stage is effected by the aid of a rope ladder of 

 some six or eight steps, that rests against the shutter, and a 

 pair of man ropes like those suspended at the gangway of a 

 ship. On the stage is a pair of shears, with a tackle for hoist- 

 ing and lowering goods. A path mounts from the stage over 

 the rock, and is continued over a short wooden bridge, that 

 connects it with the main. 



The site and neighborhood of Islay is a barren plain, gently 

 rising from the sea. About two leagues back, the surface is 

 covered with green vegetation, and suddenly rises to a height 

 of about three thousand feet. The summits of these hills were 

 so constantly hidden in clouds, that we got a glimpse of them 

 only once or twice while here. Near their base are some groves 

 of olive trees. 



In 1829, this spot, cheerless as it is, was purchased by the 

 government, for building the seaport of Arequipa, which was 

 previously reached from Quilca and Mollendo, which are now 

 closed. 



Notwithstanding that the ground is broken by deep gullies, 

 the town is very regularly laid out. The huts, for they do not 

 merit the name of houses, are one story high ; the roofs are 

 pitched, covered with rush mats, and stand with the gable end 

 to the street. The walls are made of willow poles, brought 

 about fourteen leagues, driven into the ground, closely toge- 



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