Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/486

428 latter having in its favour both history, tradition, and report, we cannot refuse our assent to its superiority over the Beni.

The Apurimac has its source in the wild heaths of Condoroma, in the province of Tinta, in 16 degrees of south latitude. It flows impetuously to the E. toward the Cordillera of Vilcanota, to the distance of three leagues, when, suddenly shifting its course to the W., it separates that Cordillera from the province of Chumbibilcas. It now enters the provinces of Aimaraes and Cotabambas, and directs its rapid course to the N. W., leaving to the E. the province of Cusco. In passing through that of Abancay, it declines to the N. E., by which direction it forms, from its primitive source, an arc that receives so many torrents on either side, as to prevent it from being longer fordable. Determining its career to the N., two leagues below the bridge of Apurimac, it forces its passage through the lofty territory of the Andes, running between mountains of incredible elevation, by which it is supplied with abundant waters. In 13 degrees 10 minutes, the river of Cocharcas, or Pampas, which descends from the heights of Huancavelica, flows into it to the W. The Apurimac continues its course, collecting the waters poured down from the mountains of Guanca; and, in 12 degrees 15 minutes, is joined to the E. by the river Quillambamba, Urubamba, or Vilcamayo, the primitive name of which is changed into that of Enec y Taraba. In 12 degrees 6 minutes, it is joined to the W. by the river of Jauxa, named by the Indians Mantaro; when,