[96] It seems to me that, even in the days of the Chimu and the Inca, the poorer people must have lived in this sort of hut-like houses, and that only the great dwelt in the "palaces" whose ruins are so remarkable. Such a state of things would explain the apparent impossibility of a large population existing in the dwellings we now see. Cf. Hodge, 1897. [97] This montaña is to-day the richest and most valuable part of Peru. [98] According to Garcilasso, Lib. II, Cap. 11, the Peruvian empire was divided into four parts, Cuzco being considered the centre. They called the northern part Chinchasuya, the southern Coyasuya, the western Cuntisuya, and the eastern Antisuyu.--Note by Icazbalceta. [99] Lake Titicaca contains several islands, notably Titicaca and Coati. [100] An obscure passage translated merely in most general terms. [101] _Agras_ I take to mean fields from its similarity to the Latin word, _ager_. [102] Llamas. [103] At this point Ramusio gives a fanciful view of the city of Cuzco, which has no real interest whatever.--Note by Icazbalceta. [104] _Cacique_ is really a West Indies word. The early Spanish writers are wont to apply it to any sort of native official. Here, no doubt, the correct term would be the Quichua word _Curaca_. Officials thus designated under the Inca dominion were the hereditary chiefs of formerly independent tribes and territories--roughly analogous to the mediatized princes of Europe. Though made vassals of the Inca, the _curacas_ were often continued in the command of their former subjects and were intrusted with the governorship of provinces over which they were formerly sovereigns. The _curacas_ ranked immediately below the Inca caste, and ruled what was known as a _hunu_. Sometimes a _curaca_ was made an Inca-by-privilege as a reward of services. [105] Huayna Capac. [106] The marble was really granite. No marble was used by the Incas.