development, added to the heavy grades and numerous tunnels, many of spiral form, would render the construction of a road-bed very expensive.

Another climb is now necessary to leave the Apurimac, and ascending one of its tributaries past Limatambo, 3,000 souls, elevation 8,500 feet, a complicated trace is again required in order to effect a crossing of the Cordillera Vilcaconga, the summit of which is 12,350 feet, the transit being effected without a tunnel, at a distance of 20 miles (32.19 kilometers) from Limatambo. The grade since crossing the Apurimac has been very steep, there having been an ascent of 6,275 feet in 38 miles (61.15 kilometers), the distance in an air-line being only 18 miles (28.97 kilometers). This, with numerous tunnels, adds to the expensiveness of construction. The difficulties to be overcome will be made manifest by an examination of Maps XLVI and XLVII, which accompany the report of Corps No. 3. It may be a question whether a better line might not have been discovered had a wider belt of country been examined.

Descending from the last-mentioned summit, a steep gradient for the first seven miles (11.26 kilometers), changing into an easy one, carries the location opposite the village of Zuriti, population 4,000, elevation 11,050 feet. Continuing on nearly level ground past Anta, population 3,000, another rise of over three per cent. is necessary to attain a summit situated within three miles (4.83 kilometers) of Cuzco, the ridge being passed by a tunnel at an elevation of about 11,870 feet, whence a steep gradient carries the line to Cuzco, the ancient Capital of the Incas, situated 1,445 miles (2,325.48 kilometers) from the Río Canchis or 1,944 miles (3,128.54 kilometers) from Quito, both measured along the location, or 1,436 miles (2,311.00 kilometers) from Quito as determined by the preliminary survey. Cuzco has an altitude of 11,079 feet and is the center of a district claiming a population of 60,000. Cost for grading, masonry and bridges between Cerro de Pasco and Cuzco has been placed at $33,176,024.

The field-work of Corps No. 3 terminated at Cuzco, the ultimate destination of the Mollendo, Arequipa and Puno Railroad. Although surveys have been made, no construction has yet been effected between Cuzco and Sicauni, a distance of 139 kilometers (86.37 miles), the estimated cost for which, according to Señor Barreda, is £500,000 ($2,433,250); the traffic, at present, not being considered sufficient to pay interest on the estimated outlay. However, a cart road is now building, with a prospect of completion in a year. At Sicuani connection is made with the railroad in operation from that point through Juliaca to Puno, on Lake Titicaca. The distance from Sicuani to Juliaca is 197 kilometers (122.41 miles), and from Juliaca to Puno 47 kilometers (29.20 miles), or a total of 244

kilometers (151.61 miles).

At present, communication is maintained with the interior of Bolivia by means of steamers on Lake Titicaca, and wagon or pack transportation between the port of Chililaya and La Paz.

To bring about through rail connection, however, surveys have been made to extend the line from Puno, along the western shore of Lake Titicaca, to Desaguadero, on the Bolivian frontier. This distance is 165 kilometers (102.53 miles) and the estimate for a 1-meter gauge railroad is £350,000 ($1,703,275). The total distance across Perú from the Río Canchis via Cerro de Pasco, Cuzco and Puno, to Desaguadero would therefore be 1,785.51 miles (2,873.47 kilometers), of which 151.61 miles (244.00 kilometers) are in operation, leaving 1,633.9 miles (2,629.48 kilometers) to be constructed at an estimated cost of $65,758,146.

The total distance from Ayutla across the eight republics of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, El Ecuador and El Perú to Desaguadero would be 4,840.55 miles (7,790.04 kilometers), of which 362.91 miles (584.05 kilometers) are constructed, leaving 4,477.64 miles (7,206.00 kilometers) to be built, at a cost of $143,514,942.84 for grading, masonry and bridges.

Before leaving this Republic, it may be mentioned that propositions have been submitted to extend the Pacasmayo Railroad to Borja, on the Marañón, whence water communication along the Amazonas would give access to the Atlantic Ocean. In addition instrumental examinations have been made of the route from Oroya via Tarma, near the head of the Chanchamayo River, to the head of navigation on the Perené, with the same object in view.

CHAPTER IX.

SOUTH AMERICA.

III.

It is to be regretted that the amount of time and funds available will not permit as full a treatment of the remaining countries of South America as has been given to the three already considered, for in wealth, population and size they are among the most important in the southern half of the Western Hemisphere. However, a few words are necessary for a complete understanding of the scope of the Intercontinental Railway in its entirety.

IX.
BOLIVIA.

Bolivia is bounded on the north and east by Brazil, on the south by Paraguay and the Argentine Republic, and on the west by Perú. Its area has been estimated as high as 842,729 square miles, but according to the official returns of 1890-1893 it may be placed at 567,360 square miles, and the population at 2,019,549. There are eight departments, to wit: La Paz de Ayacucho, area 171,200 square miles, population 593,779; Potosí, 52,084 square miles, population 360,400; Oruro, 21,331, population 189,840; Chuquisaca or Sucre, 39,871, population 286,710; Cochabamba, 21,417, population 360,220; Beni, 100,551, population 26,750; Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 126,305, population 112,200; Tarija, 34,599, population 89,650.

As a result of the war with Chile, 1879-80, Bolivia mortgaged to that country the Litoral Department, area 29,910 square miles, containing the port of Antofagasta. Although the redemption of the territory has been frequently discussed, no means have been taken to effect the desired result.

The most important towns are La Paz, population 40,000; Cochabamba, 25,000; the Capital, Sucre, 20,000; Tarija, 10,000; Potosí, 20,000; Santa Cruz, 10,000; Oruro, 15,000. The seat of government changes; in 1892 it was at Oruro; in 1893 at La Paz; and since that date at Sucre.