pacabana. Separated by a narrow strait from the northern
extremity of this peninsula is the sacred island, Titicaca. According to
traditions, the Incas sought, in all ways, to beautify this island. They
built temples, and laid out gardens. The hills were leveled as much
as possible, terraced, and then covered with earth brought from
afar. According to the statements of early writers, pilgrims were not
permitted to land on its sacred soil until they had undergone certain
preliminary fasts and purifications on the main-land. Landing on the
island, they traversed a terrace, and by a narrow passage way they
were conducted between two large buildings, where other ceremonies were
performed.

The most sacred spot in all the island was a rock in the northern part.
Only priests of especial sanctity were allowed near it. The rock to-day
presents but the appearance of a weather-worn mass of red sandstone. It
is traditionally represented as having been plated all over with gold
and silver, and covered, except on solemn occasions with a mantle of
rich color and material. Here the sun was believed to have first risen
to dispel the primal darkness. To this day the Indians regard it with
superstitious veneration. The traveler's guide, when he comes in sight
of it, removes his hat, and reverently bows to it, and mutters to
himself a few words of mystic import.<44>

Illustration of Ruins on the Island of Titicaca.-----------

The whole appearance of the island shows how highly it was regarded. In
one place the remains of a drinking fountain were noticed. Streams
from some unknown source were still bringing to it their limpid burden.
Perhaps as noticeable a ruin as any is represented in this cut. It is
called the Palace. It is in a sheltered nook. The lake washes the very
foot of the foundation on which it stands. It is two-storied. In the
lower story were twelve rooms, so connected with each other that but
four of them communicated by doors with the outside. The others were
certainly dark and illy ventilated. The second story was entered by
means of the terrace in the rear. The same statement may be made
in regard to its rooms; they did not, however, at all correspond in
arrangement with the rooms below. The Island of Coati, but a short
distance to the south-east, was sacred to the moon. It has also a number
of ruins. The approach to this was guarded by a number of terraces.

Illustration of Ruins, Island of Coati.-------------