River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-03-05
BALSAS ON LAKE TITICACA

Blanco to the Amaz II river. Although
il is only 900 miles in extent, north and
south, Peru has coast line of 1000
miles. The rainless coast desert is
traversed BY 30 rivers. but only one of
them is navigabIe. After the mountain
rains of February and March these
streams become raging torrents; but
they gradually sink away into the
sands, and in June entirely disappear,
There are but few hays forming well
protected harbors. Ehe Zoua SEGA has
immunity from storms, and so me
coast commerce takes anchorage in
open roadstea,'s. AL. Peru, except the
coast desert, has rainy seasons, but
the Montana" or forest zcne, is ex-
ceptionally well ard equally watered.
There are large lakes in the Sierras,
forming sources of rivers; enc Of them,
Lake Titicaca, oeing of worldwide &C.
lebrity. 1t is 12O miles long and 60
miles wide, and is I&,545 feet above the
level of the ocean, which e $50 miles
distant. Its waters are naNigated by
three steel steamboats, engaged in trat
fic between its ports.
The peaks OF the Andes rise $4,000
feet above the ocean. There are no vol
canoes along the tremendous range,
but occasionally vapor is seen to rise
from the summit OF lllimant and other
snow-capped peaks. The snow line IS
from 10000 to 1900 feet above the
sea level. according to the latitude.
Biologists have developed consider
able matter of interest concerning the
formation of the Andes, FIRST by the
subsistence of the ocean and then by
successive upheavals. The geological
and consequent chemical changes which
occurred during the ages gave 70 Peru
vast agricultural acreages and also
made 1T the richest of all South Amcri-
can countries in minerals. The coas.
is rich in petroleum. silver, gold, cop
per, coal, sulphur, salt, nitrate, lime,
borax and maguesia. In the Montana
zone there are gold washings and gold
INNINGS of great value; while there are
also found emeralds, rubies, turquoise
and diamonds, the jewels with which
the persons of the meas were adorned
Abundant facts are given in the re-
port 10 show that all climates on the
face of the earth are illustrated in the
climates of Peru. The rainless condi-
ton of the iona Seca is explained by
the statement that the trade winds,
blowing from the east over the Andes,
leave in those mountains all of the
moisture which they have brought
from the Atlantic ocean, the Montana
getting the first and most abundant
supply. The clouds fly before the wind,
leaving their deposits of moisture along
the different zones rs they climb the
mountains; so that when they reach
the coast the last vestige of moisture
has been wrung from them and they arc
no longer clouds, but dry parts of the
sweeping winds. and the desert plains
remain sterile, and must probably re-
main so forever. Thus the Montana
is tropical forest, which, when clear
ings have been made, becomes excellent
farming country. never in need of irri-
CATION. The next higher zone, The ST.
era. IS a charming climate and yields
readily 10 the hands of the husband
man. The Puma, as the higher country
is called, is cherries zone, too cold for
vegetation.
The thermometer registers every
degree OF natural heat. In Lima
the mercury goes down 10 40 de-
grees in the mid-winter month
of July; and Il sometimes rises
as high as 90 in the summer month of
January. The winter weather is damp
and chilly, making overcoats necessary.
The old Spaniards oppose the use of
artificial heat. but some of the newer
houses are being supplied with FIRE
places.
Earthquakes are seldom experienced
in northern Peru, but suboceanic ir-
ruptions have been disastrous, some
times destroying coast cities. In 1865
Arequipa was damaged by the ripple
Of a distant earthquake wave. but the
damage resulted mainly frcm the old
time Spanish architecture. The houses
we're of stone with arched roofs, which
speedily tumbled when shaken; while
lighter houses of modern architecture
were scarcely disturbed by the quake.
The "fauna peruviana," as cata-
logued in 1851. contained 40 600 differ
ent specimens. including many birds
or passage The waters of the Pacific
coast tcem with fish; the corbina, not
known in the northern temperate zone,