340 . CHARLES WILKES. 



Their feet are small, and they have a graceful car- 

 riage." 



In exploring the interior of Chili, the celebrated 

 chain of mountains known as the Cordilleras would, 

 of course, attract special attention. The botanical 

 and mineralogical results of their researches were 

 particularly valuable. The soil of the middle region 

 between the ocean and the mountains was found to 

 be a mixture of loose earth and pieces of rock. 



Captain "Wilkes's researches extended also to the 

 political history and condition of Chili; and they 

 brought to light many interesting facts connected 

 with these subjects which before had been generally 

 unknow nor unfamiliar. 



