Page:Ollanta An Ancient Ynca Drama.pdf/134

126 Andes. Runa, a man. It seems to imply that the inhabitants of the Punas were timid.

(49) Llullu ccachu. Literally a feeble herb, scarcely raising its head above the ground. The word ccachu belongs to the dialect of the Collas.

(50) Miu is poison.

(51) Queru, a mountain stream, flowing into the Vilca-mayu.

(52) Pachar is a ravine near Ollanta-tambo, opening on to the Vilca-mayu valley.

(53) Aclla, chosen. "The chosen ones," as the Virgins of the Sun were called.

(54) Taparacu is a large butterfly; the appearance of which inside a room was looked upon as a bad omen.

(55) i.e., surrounded by dangers.

(56) The birds used for sacrifice were the Tunqui (Rupicola Peruviana), the Cuntur, and the Parihuana or flamingo.

(57) Rumi-tunqui is a play on the name of the general.

(58) Barranca compares this strategy of Rumi-Ñahui to that of Zopyrus, as described by Herodotus.

(59) Here Rumi-Ñahui is again punning on his name of a stone.

(60) Nucchu, the Salvia. Sunchu is a large yellow composita. The Indians used to boil the leaves, dry them in the sun, and keep them to eat in winter (G. de la Vega, II. p. 376.) The exact meaning of the passage is obscure.

(61) For an account of the celebration of the Raymi, see G. de la Vega, II. p. 22, 155, 162, 445. Ynti-huatana was a circle of stones whence the sun was observed by the priests and people. Ynti is the sun. Huatana is from Huatani (I seize.) (G. de la Vega, I. p. 177.) Hence Huatana, a lasso or halter; and hence a circle, and Huata a year. (G. de la Vega, I. p. 177.)

(62) Siclla, a blue flower.