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AMERICAN MINES.

CHAP. XXII.

Humboldt attributes to this thinness of thepopulation the little progress which Peru hasmade in the last two centuries; but to that causemay be added a scarcity of capital to apply tomining, and the unfavourable situation in whichthe principal mines are found. The mines ofHuantajaya are, indeed, in a district not peculiarlysevere, but they are in a part of the province ofArica which is entirely destitute of water; andthe projects which have been long entertained ofconveying fresh water to it for the use of the menand cattle, and salt water from the small sea-portof Yquique for the amalgamation-works, have failedfrom the want of sufficient capital.

The greatest quantity of silver in Peru has beenextracted from the mines ofYauriccocho or Laurico-cha, better known in Europe by the name of themines of Pasco. They are in the midst of moun-tains covered with perpetual snow, and are them-selves at a height of thirteen thousand feet abovethe level of the sea, and consequently in a severeclimate and a barren soil. They are said to con-tain masses of silver quite equal to the quantityfound in the district of Guanaxuato in Mexico ,and at no great depth below the surface. Butthe unhealthiness of the climate, the expense ofconveying necessaries to such an elevation, andthe water with which the pits are often submerged,have been hitherto impediments to extensiveoperations. In spite of the obstacles, these mineshave, however, annually delivered, during the