75 
mac bridge of the Rio Chambo broke down all 
at once. This was owing to a very dry wind 
having succeeded long rains^ in consequence of 
which all the ropes gave way at the same time. 
By this accident four Indians were drowned 
in the river, which is very deep and extremely 
rapid. 
The ancient Peruvians constructed also bridges 
of wood, supported by piers of stone ; though 
they most commonly satisfied themselves with 
bridges of ropes. These are extremely useful 
in a mountainous country, where the depth of 
the crevices, and the impetuosity of the torrents, 
prevent the construction of piers. The oscilla- 
tory motion might be diminished by lateral ropes 
fastened to the middle of the bridge, and stretch- 
ed diagonally toward the bank. It is by a 
bridge of ropes, .of extraordinary length, and on 
which travellers may pass with loaded mules, 
that a permanent communication has been esta- 
blished between Quito and Lima, after uselessly 
expending upwards of forty thousand pounds 
sterling, to build a stone bridge, near Santa, 
over a torrent, which rushes from the Cordillera 
of the Andes. 
