Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV. Montana of San Carlos de Vitoc--Villages--Hacienda of Maraynioc--The Coca Plant--Mode of Cultivating and Gathering it--Mastication of Coca--Evil Consequences of its excessive Use--Its Nutritious Qualities--Indian Superstitions connected with the Coca Plant--Suggestions for its Introduction in the European Navies--Fabulous animal called the Carbunculo--The Chunchos--Missions to Cerro de la Sal--Juan Santos Atahuallpa--The Franciscan Monks--Depopulation of Vitoc. The Montana of San Carlos de Vitoc is, without exception, one of the most interesting districts of Peru. It has on the one side, and at a short distance, the populous villages of the Sierra, and on the other it borders on the forests, through which the wild Indians range in their hunting excursions. It was formerly the principal key to the missionary stations of the Pampa del Sacramento, the Chanchamayo, Perene, and Upper Ucayali. It is only twenty leagues distant from Tarma, from whence the road leads through the fertile valley Acobamba, to Palca. Eastward of the latter place are the ruins of a fort, which in former times must have been a place of considerable importance. The wild Indians have repeatedly made hostile sallies from their forests, and it is only by this bulwark, which, with four small field-pieces, completely defends the narrow valley, that they have been checked in their advance on Tarma, PASSAGE ACROSS THE ANDES. 443 An exceedingly steep path runs about a league and a half up the acclivity; then, becoming somewhat more level, it extends to the base of the crest, which at that part is about 14,000 feet above the level of the sea. Here the aspect of the Andes is by no means so imposing as that of the Cordillera, for the glaciers and steep rocky summits...
