438 VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. [December, 
From the observations and analysis made by Baron de Hum- 
boldt, the water of this bay was found to be two degrees colder 
than any other on the coast ; and this is not only verified by the 
testimony of those who bathe in it, but also by its protecting ves- 
sels from the corroding effects of worms and marine insects, so 
destructive to them in almost every other port. 
At the distance of a league to the east is the famous Rimac, the 
principal stream of the valley of Lima, by the side of which it 
runs, meandering and beautifying its banks. Next follow, in the 
view, the ports of Lancon and Chancay, on whose fertile shores 
were formerly the celebrated cane plantations, and where, since 
the revolution, they again begin to assume importance. 
On the opposite side is presented a sandy, uninhabited coast, 
which goes otf diminishing from the port of Callao, for half a 
league, to the point of the island called la Mar hrava. The 
island is now some distance from the main ; but according to the 
accounts of those who existed previous to the last inundation of 
Callao, the channel between them was so narrow as to admit of 
a verbal communication from one beach to the other, But since 
the inundation, from some cause or other, the water has been evi- 
dently gaining on the land. 
For a long tiine after the destruction of Callao, no other build- 
ings were erected in it except the castle and custom-house. Bella- 
vista having been selected, and large bodegas, or store-houses, 
built for the deposite of the grains, liquors, fruits, and other effects 
of the trade with Chili and Guayaquil, Bellavista soon sprang up 
into a flourishing village, while Callao lay in its mouldering ruins, 
almost neglected. The famous stone mole, which had been erected 
at so much cost for the security and facility of commerce, had 
disappeared in the general ruin — the particulars of which we shall 
give hereafter. 
Time and the revolution have produced another change. Bel- 
lavista has fallen into decay, and Callao is rapidly rebuilding. 
Foreign merchants, who have the entire control of the foreign 
commerce of the country, reside in Lima, but have their agencies 
established in the port. 
Soon as the usual courtesies were interchanged between the 
Potomac and the authorities on shore, as well as the performance 
of many duties connected with the protection of .ouf interests on 
