| SYSTEM OF AGUADAS. 227
bottom covered with mud several feet deep. The
Indians were in the habit of digging pits in it for
the purpose of collecting the water which filtered
through, and in some of these excavations they
struck upon an ancient well, which, on clearing it
away, was found to be of singular form and con-
struction. It had a square platform at the top, and
beneath was a round well, faced with smooth stones,
from twenty to twenty-five feet deep. Below this
was another square platform, and under the latter
another well of Iess diameter, and about the same
depth. The discovery of this well induced farther
excavations, which, as the whole country was inter-
ested in the matter, were prosecuted until upward of
forty wells were discovered, differing in their char-
acter and construction, and some idea of which may
be formed from the engraving that follows. These
were all cleared out, and the whole aguada repaired,
since which it furnishes a supply during the greater
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