" The largest and finest construction of the Indians in this way, is the aqueduct of the city of Tezcuco. We still perceive the traces of a great mound, constructed to heighten the level of the water. How must we admire the industry and activity displayed by the ancient Mexicans and Peruvians, in the irrigation of arid lands. In the maritime parts of Peru, I have seen the remains of walls, along which water was conducted for a space of from 5 to 6000 metres, from the foot of the Cordilleras to the coast. The conquerors of the 16th century destroyed these aqueducts, and that part of Peru has become, like Persia, a desert, destitute of vegetation. Such is the civilization carried by the Europeans among a people whom they are pleased to call barbarous."* In a very clever and elaborate volume on " American Antiquities," by Alexander W. Bradford, Esq., of New York, we find this brief but explanatory statement concerning the extent and structure of the Peruvian aqueducts :

"'I have had various opportunities,' says a recent traveller, 'of closely examining one of these canals, which is formed at the source of the river Sana, on the right bank, and extends along a distance of 15 leagues, without reckoning sinuosities, and which consequently supplied a large population, particularly one city, whose ruins still remain in the vicinity of a farm named Cojal.' " These aqueducts were often of great magnitude, executed with much skill, patience, and ingenuity, and were boldly carried along the most precipitous mountains, frequently, according to Ulloa, to the distance of 15 or 20 leagues. Many of them consisted of two conduits, a short distance apart the larger of these was for general use the other and ; ;