DISTRIBUTION OP INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES. (j' t 



similar companion, is tin- hard and 1 procera. i .) Both of i 



arc ..Urn halt' concealed amid an infinity of ci.-i -|.in^ and climbing parasite. Then- are aUo 

 laurels, including tin- L. jii'/ii/in; m\ nl.-.s ; tin- i I. -ant him.. <i (Ityrsoidea,) whose 



ids the air in the valleys of tin- rivers, and whose whit'-eiipped ll-.w.isand rosy 

 bark are in exquisite contrast with the green of its narrow haves; the avelhino i <Jiuulria petero- 

 j>/ii/if<i, II. 1'.); thccanclo ( Drijm'm chilcnsw) ; and that most hcantit'iil of all climbing plants, the 

 eopigue, (L&pageria rosea,) so remarkable lor its velvety, yet wax-like, coral-colored bells. 

 The Araucaria, on the higher portions of the coast range and the u -ated of the sub- 



A inline belt, here attains its greatest size and perfection, its trnnk being often more than a 

 hundred feet in height, almost as regular and upright as the mast of a ship. The outline of 

 its foliage is a hemisphere, with the convex surface downward. There are many places in 

 these forests where trees and shrubs are so enlaced and intertwined as to be wholly impenetrable. 

 This is more particularly the case with the forest along the western chain ; and thus a natural 

 barrier is formed which cuts off communication, except along certain established roada. 



Natural -transversal highways are the valleys of the Imperial and Tolten broad ravines, 

 cultivated to a great extent, and enclosing numerous populations. It was on the first of these 

 streams, and near the junction of the Damas, that the Spaniards founded the city of Imperial, 

 now, and for more than two centuries past, a pile of ruins, scarcely recognisable amid the 

 forest. Another road extends from Arauco to Santa Juana, a small village ou the south bank 

 of the Biobio, nine leagues above Concepcion; and a fourth from Tucapel, across the celebi 

 pine tract, to Los Angeles. There are two longitudinal roads one across the intermediate 

 plain, the other along the coast, and generally within a moderate distance of the sea. Leaving 

 San Pedro, a small village opposite the city of Concepcion, the latter passes through Colcura, 

 a town of nearly 2,000 inhabitants, whose support is derived from the coal mines of the vicinity, 

 and one or two large flour-mills erected here. The surrounding country traversed by it is 

 tolerably well cultivated. Passing the Altos de Villagran, (Mariguenu,) memorable for the 

 disastrous defeat of the Spanish army under Valdivia's immediate successor, the fort of Arauco 

 is reached after a journey of 10 leagues from Concepcion. Formerly the entire Christian popu- 

 lation sheltered itself within and under the walls of Arauco; but they now amount to nearly 

 4,000 souls, who h ve fraternized with the semi-civilized natives, and fearlessly live at a distance. 

 From Arauco to Tucapel Viejo sixteen leagues there are two roads at unequal distances from 

 the coast ; though the greater portion of each is over cultivated prairie lands, and among 

 habitations owned by those recognising Christianity. Many of these lands are occupied by 

 Araucanians; and others belong to the natives, but are rented by Christians. It is not known 

 how numerous is the mixed population actually existing between Arauco and the river Leubu ; 

 but as the province of Concepcion extended to this river until the law of 1852, and most of it 

 is under control, the Leubu may be regarded as the true northern frontier of the independent 

 Indians. 



Along the inner of the two last roads, and which is the most direct and best, there is scarcely 

 a dwelling ; but there are many Indian and Christian families near the hills of Quiapo, and 

 about others leading from it to the mouth of the Leubu. Just beyond Tucapel the road 

 crosses a high table-land, where a missionary station has recently been established, not far from 

 the ruins of Caiiete, one of the seven cities, and a dilapidated fortress, now in the midst of a 

 wheat-field. On this plain, now cultivated and occupied by many Indian dwellings, tradition 

 informs us that Valdivia was taken and perished.* A little further on is the plain of Taulen, 

 occupying nearly the whole space between the rivers Leubu and Paycavi, from the coast range 

 to the ocean, and which is covered with dense pasturage. As the inhabitants have not a 

 sufficient number of cattle to consume all the grass, aud it is regarded beneficial to do so, the 

 dry pasture is annually burned off during the month of February. Wherever the vision is 



* One tradition is, that they poured melted gold into his mouth, bidding him drink to his fill of the metal he so much thirtd 

 for. 



9 



