36 REMARKS AND OPINIONS. 



these volcanoes tliere is a large lake, and that the 

 principal rivers of this extensive country rise from 

 these lakes. Thus from Chilian, or out of its lake, 

 flows the river Nuble; from Antuco, the Laxa; from 

 Callagiu, the Biobio; from Chandel, the Imperial; 

 from Villa-rica, the Tolten; from Huanchue, the 

 river of Valdivia; from Copi, the Rio bueno; from 

 Llanguihue, the Pilmayguen ; and from Purarauco, 

 the river Rauhue, which waters the territory of 

 Osorno, and, half way to Chiloe, forms a second 

 branch, which is called Maypuhue. 



The Indians who inhabit the Cordillera are called 

 Pehuenches, a name which originates from the fir- 

 trees which abound there. They are extremely 

 robust, and inured to heat and cold beyond 

 all conception ; they are likewise very brave and 

 bold, and are much feared by the inhabitants of the 

 valley. Their usual diet is horse-flesh, and the 

 kernels of pine-cones, which the forests produce in 

 great abundance. They do not sow seeds of any 

 kind, and when they want vegetables they exchange 

 for them with the Indians in the plain, salt and the 

 kernels of pine-cones; they carry on thesame barter- 

 ing trade with the Spaniards out of the territory 

 of the Cordilleras. They possess extremely rich 

 salt springs, which extend two days' journey from 

 east to south, without a single drop of sweet water 

 being found in tliis immense tract. The salt, which 

 is very wholesome, is as white as snow, and it is 

 very easy to reduce it to a powder as fine as flour. 



