Strange manner of Hunting.
Not far from hence lie the Valleys Gaura and Lima; which last exceeds all others in bigness, and was formerly exceeding populous; but since the Marquess Pizarro built the City Los Reyos here, the Citizens have taken the Lands from the Peruvians. The Mines hereabouts produce Gold and Silver. Amongst other things the Inhabitants highly esteem an Herb bearing yellow Flowers, which in a short time cures a putrifi’d Wound, whereas if laid on sound Flesh it eats the same to the Bone. The Natives heretofore us’d to spend their time in Hunting, and caught their Game after this manner, viz. three or four thousand of them would meet together, and by taking Hands make a Ring of three or four Miles in circumference, and at a certain Note or Tune Sung, or loudly Exclaim’d, they drew nearer and nearer, till at last they were within Shot of the inclosed Game, whatsoever it were.
A vast Treasure found by Ferdinando Pizarro.
The Countrey of Collao hath a low Point, from which a long Cliff runs into the Sea, towards the small Island call’d Isla de Collao: On each side of the Point the Coast runs sloaping in, the one side extending North-West from Collao, to the Cliffs Piscadores; the other South-East to the second Promontory; behind which is a large Bay, where the Valley Pachacama appears, famous for its exceeding fruitfulness, and a stately Temple built by the Ingas, where Ferdinando Pizarro found above nine hundred thousand Ducats, besides what the Soldiers and Commanders took, and what the Priests had hid, which none, though miserably tortur’d, would confess.
Opposite to Pachacama lies the Valley Chilca, where it never Rains, nor any Brook or Spring moistens the dry Soil, which nevertheless produces Maiz and Fruit-Trees. The Natives us’d to dig large and deep Pits, in which they Sow’d and Planted, and at every Root laid the Head of a Fish call’d a Sardin, which they caught in Nets on the Sea-shore; wherein nevertheless nothing would have grown, but for the Morning Dews which fell. The Ingas also had curious Banquetting-houses here. In these Parts there grows a sort of Tree call’d Mala, of which Acosta relates a strange Wonder of Nature, very remarkable, viz. That it flourishes and bears Fruit on that side which beholds the South, in that Season when it is Summer on the Mountains; the other which views the Sea, Blossoming and bearing Fruit when it is Summer on the Plains.
The Valley Guarco, spacious and full of Trees, produces especially the pleasant Fruit Guayaves and Guavas, as also the best Wheat in Peru; wherefore it is vended all over the Countrey. Here are also the Ruines of another stately Castle, built by the Ingas, the former lustre whereof is testifi’d by its remaining Walls, which consist of exceeding great Stones, so neatly joyn’d together without Mortar, that it appears like one entire Stone; and by the decay’d Structures of several Halls, much of the curious Painting whereof is yet to be seen; from the Castle a large pair of Stairs led down to the Sea-shore. Two Leagues farther the River Lunagun runs through the fertile Valley of the same Denomination. The fatness of this Soil is chiefly ascrib’d to the Dung of a Fowl call’d Guana, which the Natives fetch in great abundance from the Isles near the Main.
Next follows the Valley Chinca, one of the biggest in all Peru, and before the Spaniards Arrival very populous. In the time of the Ingas it also shew’d a magnificent Temple Dedicated to the Sun, built by Tepaja Jupangue; yet the Inhabitants still remain’d constant in the worshipping of their old Idol Cinciapema. Hither the Ingas sent their conquer’d Princes, who on a certain time were to appear in Cusco. The Dominicans at present possess here a neat Cloyster, from whence leads a plain Road to the Dale Ica, water’d by the River Pisco, which is dry in Summer; wherefore the Natives brought a Ditch from the Mountains, which since the Spaniards destroying the Inhabitants, is choak’d up with Sand.
Next the Valley Nasca comes in view, famous for the Castle Caxamalca, where the Ingas kept all manner of Ammunition for War, besides several Tombs, out of which the Spaniards took great Riches. This Valley is divided into several others, which for the most part produce Sugar-Canes; and through them all runs the Royal High-way, which is Wall’d in on both sides.
Beyond Nasca lie one behind another the Valleys Hacari, Oconna, Camana, and Quilca, all of them affording good Pasture for Cattel, and Fruit, yet are most of them desolate.