Among the ruins of the city of Zacatecas, are found the remains of an Aqueduct ; and at Palenque is found an Aqueduct of stone, constructed with the greatest solidity.

Among the hieroglyphical ornaments of the pyramid of Xochicalco are heads of crocodiles spouting water, and much proof may be found that the ancient Americans were acquainted with that property of liquids by which they find their level ; and applied it not merely to fountains and jets d'eau, but to convey water through pipes to their dwellings.

Aqueducts of South America.

The ancient inhabitants of Peru, Chili, and other parts of South America were undoubtedly a refined, civilized and agricultural people ; they constructed extensive cities, roads, Aqueducts, &c. Though they constructed many and extensive Aqueducts for the supply of towns and cities with water,

yet the object of the greater part of the public works of this kind was for the encouragement of agriculture.

" The Peruvians and some of the neighboring nations carried the cultivation of the soil to a higher stage of perfection than any of the American nations. In consequence of the narrow extent of land intervening between the mountains and the sea, the rivers in this region are usually of

small size, and the soil, being arid and sandy, needs the aid of artificial irrigation. To such an extent did they carry their ingenious efforts, that the sides of the steepest mountains were converted into productive fields, by being encircled with terraces, supported by stone walls, and watered by canals."