the extent of the change which the new system has undoubtedly produced. Agriculture, at the period of my visit, was only beginning to recover from the effects of the Civil War: the crop of maize had been lost in consequence of the extreme dryness of the season, and the price had risen from two to five dollars per carga (of 300 lbs.) In abundant years it is seldom worth more than twelve reals per fanega. There were, however, no apprehensions of a scarcity, as 300,000 fanegas were known to be on hand within the territories of the State.
We passed the whole of the 9th of November at Qŭerētărŏ, in order to visit the Governor and some of the principal merchants, for whom we had letters. In the evening we went to the Căñadă, or great ravine, about two leagues from the town, which, like the Bărrānca of Rēglă, sinks suddenly below the level of the Table-land, and assumes, in the course of a few hundred yards, all the appearances of Tierra Caliente. It is inhabited by a race of Indians who have resided there since the Conquest; and abounds in gardens and magnificent trees, with some hot baths, which are said to possess great medicinal virtues.
We left Qŭerētărŏ on the 10th of November, and breakfasted at a Rancho, called El Păsēō, about six leagues from the gates. From thence to Zĕlāyă it is four leagues. At a little distance from the town we crossed a magnificent bridge over the river Laxa, which, in the rainy season, forms an impetuous
