From the observations and analysis made by Baron de Humboldt, the water of this bay was found to be two degrees colder than any other on the coast; and this is not only verified by the testimony of those who bathe in it, but also by its protecting vessels from the corroding effects of worms and marine insects, so destructive to them in almost every other port.

At the distance of a league to the east is the famous Rimac, the principal stream of the valley of Lima, by the side of which it runs, meandering and beautifying its banks. Next follow, in the view, the ports of Lancon and Chancay, on whose fertile shores were formerly the celebrated cane plantations, and where, since the revolution, they again begin to assume importance.

On the opposite side is presented a sandy, uninhabited coast, which goes off diminishing from the port of Callao, for half a league, to the point of the island called la Mar brava. The island is now some distance from the main; but according to the accounts of those who existed previous to the last inundation of Callao, the channel between them was so narrow as to admit of a verbal communication from one beach to the other. But since the inundation, from some cause or other, the water has been evidently gaining on the land.

For a long time after the destruction of Callao, no other buildings were erected in it except the castle and custom-house. Bellavista having been selected, and large bodegas, or store-houses, built for the deposite of the grains, liquors, fruits, and other effects of the trade with Chili and Guayaquil, Bellavista soon sprang up into a flourishing village, while Callao lay in its mouldering ruins, almost neglected. The famous stone mole, which had been erected at so much cost for the security and facility of commerce, had disappeared in the general ruin-the particulars of which we shall give hereafter.

Time and the revolution have produced another change. Bellavista has fallen into decay, and Callao is rapidly rebuilding. Foreign merchants, who have the entire control of the foreign commerce of the country, reside in Lima, but have their agencies established in the port.

Soon as the usual courtesies were interchanged between the Potomac and the authorities on shore, as well as the performance of many duties connected with the protection of our interests on