Literature.

In speaking of the antiquities of New Granada , Mr . Mllaerfc says , " 1 am rather surprised thafc larger numbers of monuments , some ¦ more ancient nations than those first seen by the Spaniards , ive not been met with . Perhaps dense tropical forests cover uany such remains , and are awaiting the footsteps ofthe emigrant , ii- the enthusiastic antiquarian explorer . "

Much valuable information is then given relative to these i ltiquifcies collected from various authentic sources , many if which we are tempted to describe , and are only prevented >> y the necessities of space , as were we to extract all that we should desire from this antiquarian ' s and historian ' s uost interesting volume , we should fail to do justice ; J it in a dozen notices of such a length as our space

. ill _ afford . We have next an explanation of the Musica Calendar — showing that the Musica counted with their fingers — twenty being their limit , which being represented by " the word gueta ( house , or the time qf sowing ) included all the property and happiness of this E ation ; " they then recommenced and went to twenty twenties , " the various meanings of the numbers iu their

language alludes to the phases of the moon , agricultural operations , and the superstitions of its idolatry "—and by this means thoy were enabled to divide their seasons and years ( which consisted of 20 moons ) , & c .

We pass over a highly interesting description of Panama , and some observations on and specimens of the Chibotra , Musica or Mosca , and other languages , to follow the author to Quito—which certainly comes nearer to an El Dorado than almost any land on the earth—but it is now in want of properly well-directed labour to turn its riches to good account . Mr . Bollaert

says" The Eepuhlic of Equador is divided into three natural parts by two parallel chains of the Andes . The centre division being on an average level , much more elevated than the others , from 5000 to ll , 000 ffc ., possesses an equal and agreeable climate , a clear bright atmosphere , and is the seat of the chief cities . " The eastern and western slopes of the Cordilleras are densely covered with every species of timber , including a large mahogany , out of which the Indian scoops his canoe . The cotton and

indiarubber plants grow wild , as also cocoa , canelo ( called hy some cinnamon ) , coffee , the guayusa or tea plant , vanilla , tobacco , indigo , orchilla , wax palms , copal , storax , spices , dyes , sugar-cane , rice , maize , tquina or cinchona hark , cedron , & c . —indeed , a paradise for the botanist . In the more temperate parts , there are large grazing and arable farms .

" As to mineral productions , they are in abundance ; the entire range of the Cordilleras abound with gold and silver , and copper . Gold is also found on the hanks and in the channel of every river which has its source in the high lauds . " This district is considered to be rich in emeralds , and for one product of the district alone , the bark of the Chinchona or quinine , the British Government is said to pay £ 60000

, a-year . The city of Quito was taken from the Indians by Belalcazar in 1533—the original nation having been long extinct , having been conquered by the Cara nation about the year 1000 , who , in their turn , were subjugated by the Incas of Peru . In this part of his work , Mr . Bollaert expresses his surprise at his not being able to meet with the emerald at Guayaguil , and its being now apparently almost

unknown in the district , as at the conquest they were so abundantly found in the Equador , adding , " this gem cannot have disappeared , but awaits intelligent searchers , particularly as we know their geological position . " He also describes the Equador Land Company , of the prospects of which he has the highest confidence , and observes , " not onl y colonisation and commercial establishments are the objects of

the company . but also scientific researches , and they will represent various scientfic societies in England and on the continent "—and certainly , no matter what may be their success in their commercial character , there can be no doubt that iu the latter they have a rich and varied field before them . Passing from Quito , we come- to Peru and Bolivia , or , as it was formerl calledU Peru . We need not follow the

y , pper conquest of Peru by Spain , in 1530 , nor trace its history during the time it was held by that country to 1821 , but it certainl y does not appear much to have improved its position politically in that period , for whereas in 290 years it was held by the Spaniards it only had forty-four governors ,

whilst ; in fche last forty it has had upwards of twenty , and expended too much of blood and treasure , though there is no doubt that ifc is now one of the first , if not the first , of the South American republics—and that principally through its guano . Of its products Mr . Bollaert says : — " Peru produces , in its various climates , all the fruits , grain , and vegetables cultivated in different countriesindependently of those

, which are indigenous ; the latter including many of exquisite flavour , such as the chirimoya pine and falta . " The transandine region is most interesting for the abundauce of its productions . In its immense forests are ornamental woods in great variety , also the Peruvian-bark tree , cocoa , coffee of fine flavour , coca , sarsaparilla , vanilla , & c . " The mineral kingdom of Peru is celebrated for placeres and

mines of gold , mines of silver , mercury , and copper ; some lead , sulphur , and coal is met with , as well as quarries of various marbles . Important are the gold washings of Carabaya , the silver mines of Pasco , Puno , Gualgayoc , and Guantajaya ; the mercury mines of Guancavelica and Chonta ; the salt , nitrate of soda and borax beds of Tarapaca ; the salt pits of Huacho and Sechura . The guano deposit on the coast is a source of considerable revenue . "

AndBolivia is equally rich in natural products . At Cuzco was found an Inca zodiac of gold , a most valuable memorial of antiquity , which is thus described by Mr . Bollaert : — " I will now describe what I suppose to be an incarial lunar calendar or a zodiac ; it is of gold , and on a circular plate . The outer ring is Sta inin diameterthe inner ring 4 iu . There are

, , apparently four holes on the inner ring , so as to fasten it on . the breast of an Inca , priest , or amauta ( astrologer or learned man ) . There are apparently twenty-four compartments , large and small , including three at the top , a triangular gateway , on its right a small space with two circles and three lines ; on the left three lines , and two upright ones joined . At the bottom are two spaces ; figures Were probably here , but looks as if worn away .

" I will advert to the centre portion first . It is surmounted hy the prongs of a trident , ( our Aquarius is sometimes represented with a trident ) ; on each side are four small circles ; there arc other four on the nose , and two more on the sides , at the base of what may be intended as pillars or ears ; the circles may represent the bases of the stone pillars used as gnomons by the Incas for determining the solstices . Two large eyes , teeth showing the canines , and eight angular points ; the last may he intended for the sun's

rays ; the whole figure represents tho face ofthe sun . " Underneath the eyes are two faces , these may represent the first Inca and his sister-wife , the reputed children of the sun . " Description of the Zodiac in connexion with the Lunar Months

of the Incarial Calendar . " 1 . December . ( Eaymi , a solemn dance . ) The first month ; it began with the winter solstice . In the space is a face or sun , a small diamond-shaped figure underneath it , and another to the right . In this month was held one of the four principal feasts of the year . The Inca Peruvians counted the months from the 20 th , 21 st , or 22 nd , according to the solstices , until the same day of the following month , so that December included twelve days of January ,

or from one new moon to another . " 2 . January . ( Huchhuy-poccoy , from small , and to ripen , because the corn began to form small ears . ) Here is a space with an oblong figure , a quarter of a moon , and four small circles . " 3 . February ( Hatun-poccoy , from hatun , great . ) The corn began to increase in size . There is a ladder-like figure , two straight and two waved lines . " 4 . March . ( Paucar-huaray : paucarbeauty of flowershuaray

, ; , figuratively , to unfold a carpet of flowers . ) Here are two small spaces , one with three strokes , a half-moon figure and two circles ; in the other , a square oblong and two circular ones . " 5 . April . ( Ary-huay , or an ear of corn with grains of various colours . ) In this month began the grain harvest ; there was daucing , and deep libations of chicha . Here is a face with an angular projection , and an oblong figure difficult to describe . " 6 . May . ( Ayinuray , because of the conveyance of the corn to

the public granaries . ) Here we haye the sun ' s face and two diamond-shaped figures . " 7 . June . ( Inti-ltaymi , from inti , the sun , and raymi , dance . ) In this month was the third solemn feast . They rested from labour , giving themselves up to pleasure and enjoyment . Here is a sun , diamond underneath it , a diamond on left side ; a square in the corner enclosing two small circles . " 8 . July . ( Anta-asitua : antacopper ; asituagreat dance . ) This

, , began tho summer solstice ; they cultivated the land and prepared it for sowing . Here is a pear-shaped figure , a curved line , and an angular one , and three strokes . " 9 . August . ( Capac-asitua : capac , powerful . ) They sowed corn , potatoes , & c . Here are two longitudinal lines , and two cross lines ;