The country between the steep ascent of the Andes and the Pacific varies in width from 10 to 60 miles, and may be considered as the western base of the mountains. Its elevation above the level of the sea where it lies contiguous to the range, is on an average between S000 and 10,000 feet. From this elevation it elopes towards the sea with a very irregular surface, which is furrowed by a number of deep depressions which are called Los Valles, or the Vales, and run from the Andes to the sea with a rapid slope. They are traversed by rivers, many of which are dry during nine months in the year, and only a few preserve a perennial stream. As it never rains in the lower portion of this region, vegetation and agriculture do not extend beyond the reach of irrigation. The narrow strips along the rivers are cultivated in proportion to the supply of water. Though the upper course of the rivers is extremely rapid, few of them enter the sea. but are either lost in shallow lagunee or filter through the sand which is invariably found near their mouth. The uplands which separate the valleys from one another are covered with a tine loose and yellow sand ; and along them occur chains of sandy hillocks called Medanos, some of which are firm, but more loose and shifting. These uplands are complete deserts; neither beasts, birds, nor reptiles are ever omen on them, and they do not produce a single blade of vegetation. No stranger can travel from one vale to another without a guide, the sand being se loose that it is raised by the wind in clouds or columns from 50 to 100 feet in height, and thus all traces of a path are obliterated. On account of the great heat which is experienced in these uplands in the day-time, and the clouds of sand which the wind then raises, they are usually traversed by night, and the guides regulate their course by the stars, or the light breeze which always blows from the south. In the south the vales are very narrow, and occur at greater intervals, but farther north they are much wider and more numerous; and in the most northern district they are more extensive, and contain considerable portions of cultivated ground, but are at great distances apart. Between Lambayeque and Sechura the desert is 90 miles across.
Along the whole coast of Peru, south of Cape Blanco, a drop of rain warmly ever fall,. But for nearly five months, from June to November, the sky is covered with a kind of mist or fog, called the gartue which precipitates Into a flue dew, which, though not heavy enough to penetrate the thinnest ()lathing, changes dust into mud, and fertilises the ground. In the morning it is so thick and close to the gronnd that objects at a moderate distance cannot be seen. About 10 or 11 o'clock the fog rises into the atmosphere, but does not break Into clouds. While the game covers the lower parts of the country, and produces their winter, the higher declivities of the Andes enjoy floe weather and have their summer. But in the month of January the rains on the mountains commence, and they last about three months. The rains occur however earlier in the year in the northern than in the southern districts : and hence it happens that the rivers in the northern parts of Peru are full at the end of January or the beginning of February, while in the southern parts this does not take place before the end of March.
The climate is not so hot as might be supposed. In summer the weather is delightfully fine, and the heat is moderated by the sea and land breezes. The see-breeze generally commences about 10 o'clock ; gradually increases till 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon ; a steady breeze then prevails until sun-set, when it begins to die away; and soon after the sun Is down there is a calm. About 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening light wind, come of the land, and continue until sun-rise, when it again becomes calm, until the sea-breeze sets in. The cold current which runs along this coast from south to north, and the temperature of which is on an average 8 degrees lower than the mean annual temperature of the adjacent coast, uo doubt coutributea to moderate the sommer•heat During the prevalence of the game however the air is raw and damp. The mean annual temperature, according to Hum boldt, is 72', the maximum 82', and the minimum 55'. In the day-time It varies between 72' and 77', and In the night between 60' and 63'.
The prevailing winds along the coast blow from the south, varying between south-south-east and south-west In the south they are seldom more than a fresh breeze, but farther north they are stronger and blow with greater rapidity ; and near Cape Blanco they sometimes blow with great force. In winter light northerly winds are occa sionally experienced. At some distance from the ehores the prevailing winds blew from south and south-east and with greatest strength in winter : no thunderstorms occur ; lightning indeed is seen from a distance, but thunder is never heard. Earthquakes are very frequent, and sometimes destroy the towns and villages.
In the Valles, the soil is sandy ; but becomes fertile when manured with guano, which is abundant on the rocky island, and cliffs [Cuts cruel. and the UPS of which appears to have been well known here before the Spanish conquest. All the grains and fruits of southern Europe sue eeed, but many of the intertropical products do not Maize isgenerally cultivated, and constitutes the principal food of the Indians and lower classes. Rico is extensively grown in some of the wider northern ?ales, and is exported. Wheat succeeds only in the more elevated part of the valleys, where barley also is grown. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are generally cultivated, also mandioc, yams, and bananas to • smaller extent. The sugar-cane plantations are numerous and exten sive, and sugar is exported to all the American countries bordering on the Pacific. Vines grow in every valley, and good wine is made in eeveral places, as at Piece, Nasca, and Yea. The olive and the tomato are grown in the southern districts; the Ali. or Spanieb pepper, is grown extensively all along the coast.. There are few natural meadows; the want of them is supplied by the cultivation of lucern, which has spread over all the valleys.