20 DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY. 



Andes are composed of separate ranges of mountains, three being sometimes distinctly visible 

 between the plain and the highest range. Though there are anomalous portions, and, in 

 some places, complete reversals of the geological structure usually found, geologists are satisfied 

 that all these ranges belong to one epoch. These are separated from the central chain (the 

 cordilleras of Dr. Von Tschudi) by a plain with an average breadth of fifteen to eighteen miles, 

 sometimes expanded to thirty-five or thirty-eight, and at others narrowed to a few hundred 

 yards. But the Andes and central chain never unite, and in every instance where they 

 approximate to each other there is an interruption of the general declination of the plain from 

 E.N.E. to W.S.W., and through every one of these angosturas (narrow gorges) there is a 

 stream flowing from the southward and eastward. Its strata prove that the Central Cordillera 

 is older than the Andes, and the continuity of its line is quite as seldom interrupted. West- 

 ward of this, and south of the Rapel, the topography of the country is much the same as it is 

 north of Chacabuco successions of hills, with small intervening valleys, extending to the 

 coast. 



Now, I shall show that every river of consequence in Chile has its source not far from the 

 highest summits of the Andes, traverses the intermediate plain in an average direction west by 

 south, penetrates the Central cordilleras, and discharges its waters in the Pacific. Some few 

 tributaries are exceptions to the law, and in one instance, (the Biobio,) they somewhat 

 influence the course of the main stream after junction ; but it originates in the Andes, and 

 otherwise fulfils the rule. Commencing at the south, as we did with the lakes, on account of 

 their greater volume, the Bueno is the first stream of any note. It is, however, necessary to 

 apprize the reader that all the geographical information from the provinces of Valdivia and 

 Concepcion, not excepting that published "by authority," must be received with many grains 

 of allowance. 



The Bueno has its source in Lake Banco, in latitude 40 16', longitude 72 28', and after wind- 

 ing nearly west, through a/ very serpentine course, for about thirty miles, is joined by the 

 Pilmayquen, flowing from the E.S.E., and which originates in Lake Puychue. The united 

 waters of the two follow the direction of the main stream, without its contortions, twelve 

 miles further. Here the Rahue, to which the excess of water in Lake Llanquihue has given 

 birth, and its tributary, the Coihueco, springing from the base of Osorno, after flowing north- 

 west nearly a hundred miles, falls into the Bueno just at the line of hills into which the 

 Central cordilleras have degenerated. The distance from the junction of the Rahue to the 

 ocean is above twenty miles, through nearly all of which the Bueno is navigable ; and as rains 

 in this section of the republic are not only frequent, but are also heavy at all seasons, the river 

 is never low, as is often the case with those at the north. 



The Valdivia, or Calle-calle, originates in Lake Huanclme, or, as M. Gay writes it, 

 Guanegue. Its principal affluents from the southeast, the Colileufu and Quinchilco, have not 

 the volume of the Rahue or Pilmayquen. These streams fall into it near longitude 72 40' 

 west, and the course of the river, which from its source had been west by south, becomes more 

 southerly. Fifteen miles from the ocean it is joined by the Ouces, an affluent of equal size, 

 draining the valley to the northeast and west of the Andes ; and the two are thence navigable 

 to the estuary at its mouth, where ships may lie in greater security than in any other harbor 

 on the whole coast. There is abundance of water for quite large vessels as far as the town of 

 Valdivia, situated on the south bank, and near the confluence of the two rivers. Boats ascend 

 as far as San Jose, 12 leagues further, with no greater difficulty than is encountered on the 

 Maule ; and there is no doubt, that under the management of the German colonists who have 

 recently settled in the vicinity, the fertile lands of this province will soon attract more com- 

 merce. A number of islands and forests of evergreens on the banks add much to the beauty of 

 this stream. 



The Tolten, principally alimented by the surplus water from Lake Villarica, after crossing 

 the Indian territory, empties into the sea in latitude 39 07'. Except the portion near the 



