Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/376

326 the parochial districts that have been named, were the only ones the department contained; but at the end of a few years it became necessary to subdivide this last, on account of the increase of territory, and of the settlers it constantly received, either as the result of the new conquests, or of the emigrations from the bordering provinces. Agreeably to its present extent, it comprehends the frontier of las Salinas, distant twenty-five leagues from the principal town.

La Concepcion was erected into a parochial district: by the effect of the above-mentioned disjunction. The progress of time, and the increase of settlers, produced afterwards the same necessity of a subdivision. In this district are situated the extensive vineyards of Angostura, Misericordia, &c. which yield wines of an excellent quality, partly for exportation, but chiefly consumed in the province.

Chahuaya, which formerly constituted a part of the preceding parochial district, lies at the extremity of the department. It has two appendages, one of them named Padcaya, where the rector finds it convenient to reside; and the other, the valley of Bermejo, which extends in a right line to a distance of ten leagues, and, proportionally, in a western direction, to the valley of Tariquea, where a few fugitive Indians, who belonged to the missions destroyed in the insurrection of 1727, already referred to, have sought an asylum. The valley of Bermejo is indifferently peopled; but there is still room for new settlers, who would do well to make it their residence, in following up the pursuits of husbandry. It has a circumference of from twenty-five to thirty leagues; its temperature is warm and moist; and it is adapted to the rearing of cattle, as well as to the culture of olives, canes, and a variety of plants and