Some of the ablest writers of the transition period were interested in the _Mercurio peruano_ as contributors. Dr. Hipólito Unánue was of this class. He was a native of Peru, born in Arica in 1755. He completed his studies for an ecclesiastical career, but was persuaded by his uncle, Padre Pedro Pabón, to abandon his plan to enter the Church and to direct his attention to scientific studies. Under this advice he turned to the study of medicine, and at the same time he became known for his attainments in mathematics, physics, and natural history. Between 1783 and 1797 he wrote a political, ecclesiastical and statistical account of the viceroyalty of Peru. He held a professorship of anatomy in Lima, and exerted an affective influence in increasing facilities for anatomical study in that city. [Sidenote: Amantes del país] Under the name of “Aristio” he wrote for the _Mercurio peruano_, and was a member of the society of “Amantes del país,” which consisted of thirty members, twenty-one of whom were residents of Lima. In order to acquire membership one had to offer two discourses; these having been found acceptable, the case was presented to the viceroy for his approval. On the occasion of his inauguration the new member was required to deliver an address. A committee of “censors” examined productions presented to decide as to their fitness for publication. [Sidenote: Unánue’s _El clima de Lima_] Among Unánue’s writings, his _Observaciones sobre el clima de Lima y sus influencias en los seres organizados; en especial el hombre_, attracted much attention; it was published at Lima in 1806 and at Madrid in 1815. It is divided into three sections. The first section treats of the history of the climate of Peru; the second of the influence of climate on organized beings; the third of the influence of climate in relation to health and disease. This section contains an extensive review of the means essential to the preservation of health under different climatic conditions, particularly under the climatic conditions prevailing in Peru.[222] The bulk of the writings of Hipólito Unánue belong to a period subsequent to that here under consideration.[223] [Sidenote: González Laguna] [Sidenote: _Celo sacerdotal para con los no-nacidos_]