The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-12-19

OC1llW0Cer, IX11nue6OC0, Au.
sunlight. Leaving on the narrow
gauge, one gains passing glimpse
of the immensely productive vine-
yards which form the basis of the
fabulous wealth of the province of
Mendoza. Following a winding
path marked by the course Of the
Mendoza River, the train enters
the truly mountainous region at
Catcheuta, a terminal, the waters
of which are noted for their bene-
fetal qualities. Leaving Catcheuta
the train passes through tunnels
and past whirling rapids to pause
later in the center of the fertile
plateau Of Potrerillos. There, at
an altitude of nearly 5000 feet
above sea level, and surrounded by
high peaks. the green poplars and
sweet scented fields of waving
grass are in striking contrast to
the barren splendor Of the outlay
ing ranges of mountains. Large
herds of cattle and slick horses
give the place a beautiful rural as
pect which is brought into relief
by the frowning shadows of the
mountains beyond.
Arriving at Puente del Inca,
situated at an altitude of about
II, 200 feet, is the Hotel Ameri-
canos, under American and British
management. Between the station
and the hotel is the marvellous nat
ural structure, the Puente del Inca
itself. As a center for the holiday
maker and the seeker of health the
location is ideal. The air is dry,
refreshing and invigorating. The
Puenta del Inca is block of CAL
careous rock through which the
waters of the Mendoza River have
excavated natural arch. The re-
suit is a natural bridge across the
river, and the solidarity of the
structure is increased by the cal
careous waters which, in coming
out of the soil under the bridge,
leaves brick-hard coating of lime,
the surface of which is covered
with many shaped stalactites in
many shades of color. This bridge
is of elliptical shape, about 175
feet long, and about 80 feet wide,
with moulding twenty to thirty
feet thick. The height of the sur
face of the bridge is about 100 feet
from the waters below. The val
ley of Puente del Inca is veritable
hotbed of mineral springs. The
waters of the sources known as
Champagne, Venus and Mercury
are used to an immense advantage
in treatment, by baths, of various
ailments.
The baths connected with the
hotel are reached by an under
ground tunnel. These immense
tiled baths are filled with sparkling
water and by means of an outlet a
continuous flow and absolute uni
formity of temperature are assured.
The effect of the Champagne bath
was, to express it mildly, surpris-
ing. The waters from this source
possess many of the qualities of
the festive amber liquid. The wa
ter is sparkling and the bursting
bubbles and seething foam produce
a most pleasant sensation, and
above all the effect of immersion
in the water is invigorating to the
verge of mild form of intoxica-
tion.
1t is a custom with tourists who
visit Puente del Inca to submit
such objects as strawhats, old shoes
and such like to the tender mercies
of the calcareous waters. At the
end of about ten days these objects
become petrifed, assuming the ap-
pearance of light pink colored
earthenware of a lighter color than
our common flower pot.
Another of the strange works of
nature, and one which keeps a ST.
lent and relentless watch over the
hotel is the image known as lei
Dios de los Inca," standing on
one of the lodges of the mountain