Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/89

Rh inclining to blue. They yield a greater proportion of silver than any others which have hitherto been discovered in Peru.

The mountainous and mineral territory which is under consideration, being taken in its whole extent, consists of the above-mentioned mines of Santa Rosa and Lauri-Cocha, together with those of Yanacancha, Caya, Cheupimarca, and Pariajilca. That of Cheupimarca, although replete with rich ores, has been but little worked, in consequence of the water having gained on it at the commencement. The ores extracted from these mines are of a yellow colour with reddish spots, and commonly yield from six to twelve marks per caxon. A bank, commonly denominated the royal mantle, stretches over a territory of upwards of a league and a half in circumference; and it therefore happens that the mines are not limited to the direction of the veins. In the year 1789, from fifteen to sixteen thousand caxons of ore were extra6ted; and about a hundred and twenty thousand marks of silver refined in the royal foundery of Pasco.

To the west of the mineral territory, at the distance of two leagues and a half, lies the mountain of Raco, having the form of a cylinder truncated at the point. It is entirely composed of white granite, which, on being thrown into water, changes its colour to a dusky blue. It is of a very firm texture, is named ala-de-mosca, and is of great utility in the construction of buildings.

The river which runs through the above territory, and which extends from six to seven leagues, branches off into several,