SANTIAGO. 195 



Among the most conspicuous of tho mammalia arc the Hiicmul* (M. Gay writes Guamut), 



'lu'lensui), Guanaco (Ch /////* </.), L--.n (/'//* concdor), and Chingue (Mrplritit 

 '///7 /); and among tho featheied tribe the condor, swan, herons, flamingos, and duck*. 

 The lirst named of raeh class, l.einj national emblems, are of interest; and the Ilijcmul par- 

 ticularly HO, from the doubts respecting its existence, created by the extraordinary classification 

 of it lv .Molina as " Equua Insculua." It is more than probable that liis ideas of it were 

 obtained from the Indians. rise an ftnimal HO unmistakably deer-formed could never have been 



rl.-i-.-rd ai x horses; though this is by no means the only instance in which the Abbe was at 



fault. Unfortunately, in later times, when its existence was placed beyond doubt, and the 

 Congress adopted its figure as a part of the national escutcheon, heralds thought more of 

 appearanee in their picture than of observing nature, and by following the Abbe's description 

 have done no little towards perpetuating an absurdity. Yet more in addition to the long tail 

 mid cloven hoofs of the Abbe's fancy, they have capped the animal with a crown, and this on 

 the shield of a new republic 1 



It is not so graceful an animal as most others of its class. The length of a full-grown spe- 

 cimen, excluding the tail, is rather more than three feet and a half, and its height something 

 above two feet. It is short in proportion to its altitude, and bunchy, though strongly and 

 actively built. The head is rather oval than elongated; its eyes moderately large, and liquid ; 

 ears long, and erect ; tail short. Males are said to have short, bifurcated horns, not possessed 

 by the other sex, to which both of the specimens that I saw belonged. Its long and soft 

 hair is of a brownish fawn-color, profusely sprinkled with yellow ; its breast and belly of a 

 somewhat lighter hue than the rest of the body ; and the lower part of the legs and under por- 

 tion of the tail are quite white. As may be inferred from the fact that inammalogists enter- 

 tained doubts of its existence until within twenty years, the animal is very seldom seen more 

 rarely by those capable of describing it. Its only haunts, M. Gay says, are the most rugged 

 portions of the Andes, between the provinces of Colchagua and Concepcion ; and so timid is it, 

 that it can be approached by the hunter only on rare occasions, and with the utmost difficulty. 

 One perfect specimen is to be found in the cabinet, a second was sent to Europe by M. Gay, 

 and a. third living animal was in Quillota when we left Chile. The skins are by no means 

 rare. 



Some notice of the condor will be found in the chapter giving an account of country life, and 

 the ornithologist is referred to the able report of Professor Cassin on the collection of birds 

 brought home at my own expense. 



There are not wanting varieties of shells, recent and fossil ; parts of a fossil mastodon, of 

 which animal two skeletons were found in draining Lake Tagua-tagua, a few years since; 

 insects; reptiles; earthenware antiquities, most probably the handiwork of Peruvians during 

 their ingrcssions into the country ; and a few weapons of the Araucanians. But the institution 

 greatly needs an enlightened and energetic naturalist for its scientific arrangement, as well 

 as its increase, towards which government no doubt would cheerfully and liberally contribute. 



Another room contains a valuable mineralogical cabinet, which has been arranged under the 

 direction of Professor Domeyko. Many of the specimens from native mines are of rare beauty 

 and value, some of them crystals of silver ores, not found in any other mines of the world. In 

 gold, copper, lead, iron, cobalt, and sulphur, the collection is also quite complete, and of much 

 interest to the mineralogist. No country, perhaps, offers in so small a compass as does Chile 

 so many and such rich specimens of mineral ores. 



In an adjoining room, and carefully preserved in cases with glass doors, are the flags and 

 other trophies captured in battle ; in all cases sad emblems of human suffering and violated 

 rights, and whose exhibition by any nation is one of the relics of barbaric chivalry scarcely con- 

 sonant with an enlightened age. 



An edifice which bears the name of University is within a square or two west of Santa Lucia. 



ll is also wriltuu GUeuuil 



