Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/29

Rh many proofs in support of this proposition: the facility with which it sends its maize and other products to the mine of Pasco, keeps it in a most flourishing condition.

The natural history of Peru is fertile in prodigies. All the systems which have been formed in Europe on this subject, are capable of a thousand amplifications, whenever their theories shall be applied to our natural productions. The mountains of Chanchamayo, Huanuco, Lamas, &c. are so many privileged spots of Nature, relatively to the surprizing gaudiness and beauty of their productions. The intervention of several humid and hot climes, and the dread of the hostile Indians who inhabit them, have contributed to with-hold from us much information on this head: there is, however, a great scope for investigation and description; and accordingly the natural history of Peru will occupy no small space in our work.

Knowledge is general throughout Peru, as well on account of the natural quickness and penetration of its native inhabitants, as through their fondness for study. In whatever does not require a meditated combination of ideas, the fair sex has commonly the advantage over ours. The Royal University of St. Mark of Lima, and, proportionally, the other universities of this kingdom, form a centre of literature, which diffuses an Rh