Owing to the fact that the various altitudes of Peru have a modifying effect on the natural conditions of soil and climate, even though the latitude is equatorial, the same kinds of products are found in nearly all the departments, though each of the three natural divisions—the coast, the sierra, and the Montaña—has also its own peculiar vegetation, not to be found in the other regions. Along the coast are fisheries of growing importance; the Peruvian government has engaged the services of an expert from the United States to study the conditions most favorable to pisciculture and the results are most satisfactory. According to a recent report sent to the Minister of Fomento in reference to the fisheries of Lobos de Afuera and Lobos de Tierra, there is an abundance of fish off the shores of these islands. The _peje-aguja_, “needle fish,” measures as much as two and a half feet in length; the _anchoveta_, _peje-blanco_, _bonito_, _cabrilla_, _castañeta_, _charlo_, _morena_ (three feet long), _sardine_ and _tiburon_ are among the largest varieties, besides which there are innumerable small fry. These islands have long been frequented by fishermen from the mainland, the inhabitants of Eten, Pacasmayo, and other coast towns having established a considerable trade in this product. In their primitive-looking boats, called _balsas_, the fishermen carry provisions and other necessary articles for a month’s sojourn on the islands, where they settle themselves until they are ready to make the return voyage. As soon as a fish is caught it is killed by a blow on the head, and each day’s “catch” is salted after the fishing is over. Nets are rarely used in these waters, the hook and line being usually employed. But although the islands of Peru yield an abundance of fish, it is as the centre of the guano industry that they are chiefly known. The history of the Chincha Islands, of Lobos de Afuera and Lobos de Tierra is especially interesting as it relates to the pelican’s haunts and the wealth stored on their desert rocks by millions of these birds. [Illustration: NATURAL ARCH OF STONE AT HUANCANE, NEAR LAKE TITICACA.] CHAPTER XIX THE WEALTH OF THE GUANO ISLANDS [Illustration: PREPARING GUANO FOR SHIPMENT.]