Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-02-16
For the Lewispurc Chronicle.
Ionfu-o TIT

The subject was South America. The
lecturer couincd his observation, however,
to Peru and Bolivia, which lie lad visited
about two years since.
These two countries we're united under
the ancient government of the lncas and
were designed by nature to be but one.
But, unhappily for them, they had been
divided, through the ambition Of Bolivar,
in order that his name might be given to
portion ct least Of the continent. They
are divided naturally into three portions
the Pacific ecast region, extending from
the Andes TO the ocean; the Mountain
Gus region; and the Eastern slope. The
latter is inhabited principally by the H.
dians ,l- other two, by the descendants
Of the Span!ards.
The Coast region is generally barren:
some PORTIONS absolute deserts. No show
ers Of rain ever fall The nearest approach
to it witnessed by Prof LOOMS in this
part Of Peru, were q few drops that fell
from cloud overharging the Andes while
the sun was shining brilliantly when he
stood. The prevailing winds Of the south
ern portion Of the continent, are from the
south east. Though moist as the come
from the Atlantic, and fertilizing to the
eastern slope of the Andes, in passing the
mountains they reach temperature 80
low as to condense all their moisture and
leave them exceedingly dry before they
reach the western slope. Hence the want
of rain in the latter region. For agricul-
,ural and domestic purposes, the inhabit-
ants are dependen, upon the small streams
which flow down from the mountains. If
these are wanting, the only water to be
had is brought in ships. Such portions
are completely s,erile--nOt green thing
is to be seen-presenting o striking con-
,rast With the boundless luxuriousness and
impeuetrable forests Of the Istl.mus of Pa
mama In Iquique, the lecturer met an
old man, who, though his BUSINESS occa-
sionaly took him several leagues from
home, had never seen vegetable, Of any
kind whatever, growing. Where streams
exist, advantag, is taken Of them for pur-
poses Of irrigation. Fy dividing them
and conducting their waters over their
farms, the inhabitants raise quite an amount
of agricultural productions So tla. the
market of Lima is as well Supplied and
with as great variety (red peppers, the
indispensable to South American palate,
always abounding,i as tina. of Philadelphia
or New York-making due allowance for
the difference CT population.
Guano pronounced ,rano,) South Anne
rican Salipetre, and small quantities Of
silver and copper are the chief articles Of
wealth and trade in this part Of Peru. The
guano is found on the Islands Of the coast.
and is not only a valuable article Of COM
merce, but is the chief means on which
the government effects its loans. The
Saltpetrc is found in vast Quantities on
the mainland. Geological indications and
actual observations prove that the land has
emerged from the ocean, having been more
or less elevated at different aud distant in
tervals. Shells were found By the lecturer
at considerable elevation above the sea,
in perfect state of preservation, and pre-
ci:e,y similar to those now abounding with
their living inmates in the neighboring
waters The sea, on retiring from these
regions, lcf, as the evidence Of its former
occupancy these marine deposits Of shells
and salt.
While in this part of Peru, the lecturer
vas permitted, much to his qualification,
to witness the shock Of an earthquake
Though the creaking and cracking Of the
saline rocks around him was not exactly
agreeable, the distant roar was sublime
beyond description. The enthusiasm Of
the philosopher triumphed over the fears
of the man, and threw him into an extacy
of delight, which, combined with the vi
bra,ion Of the earth, rendered it extremely
difficult for him to maintain his perpendi-
cular.
The Mountain region is the richest in
mineral resources. The mines Of Potosi
were particularly described. Under the
old Spanish rule, they had been wrought
with great energy and success. Some Of
the ore is worth $50 per huud lb. Still,
there is little energy displayed at present
in obtaining it. The prejudice against
certain kinds of labor, including that of
mining, is SO strong that Spauiard would
rather starve than submit to it. The H.
dams will not work more than three or
four days in the week. The wood and
used in smelling, has to be brought
a distance of ninety miles, on the backs Of
mules. No machinery over three hun
dred pounds in weight could be transport.
ed thither, nor could it be propelled at pre-
sent if there. But Prof. Loomis considers
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