something like a deer in shape, but not so graceful nor so swift. It can neither go fast,nor far,-nor can it carry a great weight; but then it can go up and down the steepest places. Its disposition, though gentle, is determined. If too heavy a burden is put upon its back, it lies down immediately, and will not rise till some of the weight is removed. It will not eat at night, and therefore it must be allowed to graze by the way. The Indian is very fond of his lama, and decks its head with bows of ribbon, and hangs a bell round its neck.

Before loading it, he caresses it affectionately to make it willing to go. When, through fatigue, it lies down by the way, he does not

beat it, but coaxes it, and talks to it, as if it were a child

Wild lamas go in flocks, and the tame lamas like to travel in company Amongst the mountains, it is common to meet a long train of these animals, laden with silver or with salt.

There is another animal in Peru more like a deer than the lama is; and yet more like a sheep too, for it is covered with long fine soft wool, either black or white. It is called the alpaco. The wool has long been made into blankets for the Indians, but now it is used for umbrellas by the English. The alpaco is more difficult to tame than the lama. He is not used for carrying burdens, but is caught once a year to be shorn; and the rest of the year he roams about the mountains.

There are sheep too on the mountains, but they are not natives of Peru. They were brought from Spain. They are under the care of Indian shepherds, who drive them into large folds at night, and keep dogs to guard them.

There are also a great many fierce bulls, and they are caught when needed for the cruel bull-fights.

LIMA.

This is the capital of Peru.

It is built on a low sandy plain, six miles from the sea.

Its inhabitants are in character like those of Mexico.

Even the ladies delight in bull-fights. The place for the cock-fights is the finest in all the world. Robbers prowl near the city gates, and are seldom punished. Gambling is the amusement of all classes.

Yet the people are continually exposed to sudden death from earthquakes., Lima may be called "The city of earthquakes." Six times the city has been almost destroyed. About forty times in a year-the earth rocks and groans. Immediately,—though it be midnight, the people rush out of their houses, crying aloud, "Mercy!" The priests cause the bells of the churches to toll every ten minutes, and all the people hasten to prayers.

But after the rocking is over, both priests and people go on in their sins and their follies the same as before.

POTOSL

No city in the world is built on so high a spot as this; thirteen thousand feet above the sea!* therefore it is as cold as Petersburgh, in Russia, although very near the equator.

Once the richest silver mines in the world were near it; but these mines are no longer rich.

Cerro del Pasco is now the richest silver mine in Peru. The city there is built on almost as high a spot as Potosi.

The Indians often wish that no silver mines had ever been discovered; for they are made to toil day and night while their masters gamble for the silver.

It is said that there are Indians who have never told of mines that they have found, but have gone secretly to dig silver when they needed it.

THE SECRET SILVER MINE.

There once dwelt in Peru an old monk. Though very wicked, he was a favourite with the Indians. One day he was in great trouble,

Mount Blanc, in Switzerland, is only fifteen thousand feet above the level of the sea.

on account of having lost a large sum at the gaming-table. An old Indian, his particular friend, hearing him complain, went away and returned with a bag full of silver. The old monk, delighted, asked for more;-and another; and another bag was brought. But nothing could satisfy him, except a sight of the mine whence all the silver came, in order that he might help himself when he pleased. Moved by his entreaties, the Indian at last promised to gratify his desire. One night he came, accompanied by two other Indians. These three Indians insisted on blindfolding the old monk before they took him to the mine; neither would they suffer him to tread on the ground; but they carried him by turns on their shoulders for several miles. At last the monk was set down upon his feet, and the bandage was removed from his eyes.

Where did he find himself? In a narrow place underground, in the midst of masses of silver. "There," said the Indians, "there are the treasures;-take what you like." The monk greedily scraped up as much silver as he could possibly carry away. When ready to depart, he was blindfolded, and borne again upon the shoulders of his guides. Gladly would he have crawled, if he had been allowed, that he might have known the way another time.