The environs of Rioja are very fertile, where the waters of the river extend, but without this it is not productive, and unhappily this charming stream of water is not abundant enough, after having watered a square league of land, to extend further its fertilising influence. The quebrada, which leads to Sañogasta, a village of the Indians in the mountain, is well wooded, but would be more valuable if cleared and subjected to the cultivation of wheat and the vine. This gorge leads over the plateau of the Sierra de Velasco, where the only occupation possible for the inhabitants is the breeding of cattle.

The plain which surrounds the capital is covered with thinly scattered trees, and here, the farmers are obliged to form reservoirs for water for their thirsty cattle. But through all the length of the Sierra there are natural springs and small streams, which supply the wants of small hamlets, as Tutcun and San Cristoval, and likewise numerous estancias, such as Ampiza, Estanque, Carrisal, Amilgancho, &c., which are the chief places of the district. The principal occupation of the inhabitants of those parts is the care of their flocks, but they cultivate, in small quantities, wheat, maize, vines, and some fruit trees.

The department of Famatina is very extensive, as it nearly touches the boundary of Catamarca to the north, and that of San Juan to the south. It is situate in the valley of this name, bounded on the west by the Sierra Nevado, and on the east by that of Velasco; the transverse range of Paiman, which unites these two chains to the north, encloses the two little valleys and villages of Los Campanas and Angulo. The first, at an altitude of 1,600 metres, is remarkable for some schistose

stones, which, when struck with a hard substance, produce a sound resembling a bell. This canton is highly reputed for its agriculture, and especially for its excellent apples; it also produces very good wine. The latter is a miserable hamlet, and the land badly cultivated. These two valleys are separated from that of Famatina by the Portezuelo de la Aguadita, of which the altitude is, perhaps, 2,800 metres. At the Carrisal, lower down there is a church, then comes the extensive village of Famatina, which is not less than three leagues long, being a series of houses and fields, which finish only when the water so necessary for human existence is completely absorbed. There is also a modern church in this village, erected by the people themselves, under the direction of the curé. All this canton is populous and well cultivated, having abundant streams of water from the Nevado and other mountains to the west. It is 15 leagues from the church to the mines, following the stream westwards; the path is very bad, but could easily be improved. Between the village of Famatina and that of Chilecito (or Villa Argentina), the chief town in the department, extends a stony desert of six leagues, covered with a stunted vegetation, consisting of jarilla, retamo, &c.

The cultivation is similar to Chilecito, under the beneficial influence of irrigation. The altitude of the village is 1,100 metres. The olive, orange, and pomegranate produce well. A crowd of small and pretty hamlets enrich the environs of Chilecito; those are Sarmientos, San Nicolas, Anguinan, the ancient parish (for Chilecito is a modern creation), and Malligasta, a large village with a church and schools.

A little chain of granitic hills divides the valley of

Famatina from the Portezuelo de la Aguadita up to Nonogasta. The eastern portion is arid; nevertheless the two thriving villages of Pituil and of Tinimuqui are situate there. The scarcity of water in these eastern districts is much to be regretted, as the stratum of vegetable earth is very thick, and the soil would be exceedingly fertile, as the seasons are very regular. The same remark applies to the lower valley, which forms an immense travesia to the east, after leaving the villages of Nonogasta and Bichigasta. The former is renowned for its excellent wines, which are also produced in the latter, but in less abundance; they make here "patay," or bread from the fruit of the carob tree, of which there are an immense number around this spot and about the valley, here six leagues broad. At Bichigasta opens the valley of Guachin, which is well watered, and where also touches the route from Vinchina, via Sañogasta, which, crossing the chain of Famatina, leads to the valleys approaching the Andes.

Silver is exported from this district partly to Chili and partly to Cordoba. The town of Chilecito, or Villa Argentina, is superior in activity and commercial enterprise to the capital itself, being the most important depôt in the province, and the true centre of business with the interior. Population, 1869.-City, 5,647; country, 43,312 ; total, 48,959.

MINERAL RESOURCES, &c.

The working of mines in this province dates from a period anterior to the independence of the Republic, a number of Spaniards having been settled in the rich territory of La Rioja for many years prior to the outbreak of the Hispano-American struggle. They did not, however, develop the mineral resources of the province

as their real importance deserved. About the year 1824, when an extraordinary rage for mining operations prevailed, works were inaugurated for the development of the mineral wealth of the Sierra de Famatina, but, unfortunately, this enthusiasm was not of long duration. The operations of a German Company, which sent its engineers and miners to Famatina, were paralysed by the political disturbances then so rife in the country, and the assassination of its agent and director, by order of the rebel chief Quirogo, formed the climax of its extinction.

The workings commenced by them, which were of considerable importance, are at present almost worthless, choked up as they are with debris and filled with

water.

At a subsequent period, when the country was in the enjoyment of a short interval of tranquillity, numerous miners from Chili and Peru, as well as a few natives, carried on important works, resulting in the production of a large quantity of bar silver, but, on the recurrence of revolutions and political disturbances, these were in their turn compelled to abandon their labours.

Mining is now much neglected there, and very few mines are in active work; but of late there is a tendency to re-organise enterprises amongst the few existing capitalists, and to develope the immense mineral wealth still hidden away in the celebrated Cerros Negro and Mejicano of Famatina.

I must classify the mines of Famatina as the richest in the Republic, and its ores as holding the largest percentage of silver. The lodes, it is true, are not so wide as those found in other places, but, from their great number

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and extent, I am convinced that Famatina is not surpassed for abundance of ore by any other mineral district in the country. The ley of its ores and their composition are of the most promising character, and afford substantial grounds for believing that rich results will reward operations at greater depth. Nevertheless, as is the case in all human affairs, there are drawbacks and difficulties which can only be surmounted by large capital, perseverance, energy, and especially mining

skill.

The roads leading to Cerro Negro, in their present state, are quite intransitable, and it was with great labour I managed to reach the mines, both from the roughness of the ground and the height at which some of them are situated,-13,000 feet above the level of the sea.

There is absolutely neither wood nor other fuel in the vicinity, and this has to be conveyed from distant ravines at considerable cost. There is plenty of pasture and water, but the cold, even during the summer, and the puna, or rarefaction of the atmosphere owing to the great elevation, are most serious obstacles and almost insuperable for persons not accustomed to such altitudes. The miners of those regions alone can endure the rigours of nature at these great heights, which upon them appear to have no effect whatever.

From January to March the rainfall in Famatina is very heavy, causing the miners to suspend their labours, and descend (those of the Cerro Negro) to the town. They then generally pick and classify the ores extracted during the rest of the year, and the interval of the rainy season is occupied in grinding and reducing them. The means employed for this purpose are the crude systems of "Patio" and "Repaso" (so well known in Mexico),