278 



A VISIT TO THE PROVINCES 



ciding with what has already been said of the height of the terrace of Coquirnbo. The extremes 

 of pressure and temperature were the greatest observed at any hour during the months opposite 

 which they are placed. It will he seen that the diurnal atmospheric tide is extremely small, 

 whilst the annual wave is of more than usual amplitude, and the thermometric changes are 

 embraced within very small limits. It is to be regretted that the observations do not include 

 occasional notices of winds and clouds an omission perhaps to be accounted for by the slight 

 variation to which the direction of the former is subject, and a generally serene sky overhead. 

 S.S.W. winds, or perhaps it would be better to say breezes, prevail during the greater 

 portion of the year ; for it would scarcely be proper to designate them as "winds," except 

 when northers reach so far. Often, when its more humble port is enjoying clear weather, the 

 city is enveloped in clouds and mist an atmospheric condition due to the current of cold air 

 which descends the valley of the river with the snow-water, and meets with the warm, moist 

 air from the sea. Nevertheless, the sky is so little obscured by clouds, that many persons sup- 

 pose the name Serena was given to the city on this account. A like phenomenon of clouds and 

 mist is observable near the mouth of every stream in Chile. 



Agriculture being possible only along the borders of two or three little streams, as in Ata- 

 cama, the only occupation for the mass of the population is mining ; and therefore nearly all 

 the vessels arriving at the port come for freights of copper, or to bring supplies of provisions. 

 A fair example of its foreign trade is exhibited in the following table : 



Imports at Coquimbo, and their value, in 1850. 



The imports from the Argentine republic consisted almost exclusively of live cattle, and from 

 Peru of salt and common straw hats. Coal, iron, steel, and fire-bricks bespeak at once their 

 mining purposes ; and it is not at all improbable that a part of the latter articles were pur- 

 chased on board ships which consignees determined to load with copper, and did not first land 

 them at Valparaiso. That city, it has already been shown, is the great market all must seek 

 for their supplies, the foreign merchants managing to reap profits on original importations as 

 well as on the mineral products offered in payment. Indeed, even the flour and other provi- 

 sions of the south are made to render tribute to the monopolists of Valparaiso before distribution 

 to the hungry at the north. 



