380 A VISIT TO THE SOUTHWARD. 



whose closing struggles were in the vicinity of the Maule, afford satisfactory explanations. 

 After the commencement of the Copiapo and Caldera railroad, there were usually from twelve 

 to fifteen vessels off the town awaiting or discharging cargoes ; hut at this time there were only 

 half that number. That it is destined to increase rapidly, and to become a prosperous city, 

 none can doubt who examine its natural advantages ; and though in the amount of its foreign 

 trade it can never rival Valparaiso, the day is not very distant when goods needed for the 

 provinces of Colchagua, Talca, Maule, and Nuble, will find their way direct to Constitucion, 

 instead of paying tribute, as now, to the merchants of the former port. 



We reached the landing soon after 7 P. M. ; and as friends, both at Talca and Santiago, per- 

 sisted that the posada would be uninhabitable, I was soon enjoying the hospitality of a 

 German gentleman to whom I had been commended. They had reasoned analogically, forgetting 

 that the advent of foreigners, ever on the watch to avail themselves of increasing trade, would 

 measurably compel the introduction of customs and conveniences of their own countries ; and 

 the " cafe," as it is called, has, in fact, become quite a respectable place. 



The following day was passed in visits to the island, Cerro Muttin, and the Piedra Iglesia ; 

 and by night I was ready to take advantage of the first ascending launch to commence my 

 return. From Cerro Mutiin commanding, as it does, a view of all the landscape and the vast 

 Pacific ocean, rolling in stately majesty from beyond the bounds of vision the prospect is 

 extremely beautiful. Hence, too, the topographical position of the town is more fully appre- 

 ciated ; and could the slopes of its semi-surrounding hills be clothed with verdure, nothing 

 would be wanting to render its location one of the most picturesque in the country. When its 

 increasing population spread their dwellings up the gentle inclinations, and extract from the 

 bosom of the earth limpid streams for their bodily wants, the surplus will fructify its surface, 

 and sterility disappear. Then, with a climate unsurpassed for genial salubrity, a perfectly 

 secure harbor, and a river with bold and beautiful scenery, which affords facile communication 

 with the great plain at the base of the Andes, Constitucion will be one of the most attractive 

 cities in Chile. 



The season was so far advanced that very few flowers were found. Calceolarias, portulaccas, 

 and a parasite on the arborescent cactus, were the most common. In the quebradas, east of the 

 town, the Copigue, with its superb coral-colored and wax-like flowers, is found climbing from 

 tree to tree, and the flowers of the Chupon, mentioned by Dr. Darwin as also common in 

 Chiloe, are quite ornamental. They are of a dark red. Its common name is evidently derived 

 from the verb chupar, to suck; its seed-lobes containing a sweet, aromatic, and edible sub- 

 stance, which is thus expressed. Its seed-rpods ripen in April ; but the flowers were not seen. 

 There is a white Copigue, also ; and, by common rumor, one in which the white and coral 

 colors are blended ; though no one tells me he has ever seen it. After much care and trouble, 

 a plant has been safely conveyed to the green-house at Washington, where its flowers cannot 

 fail to be among the most admired for their color, graceful form, and velvet-like petals. 

 Though looked for carefully, there were no fossils perceptible in any of the cliffs ; and the 

 constant beating of the sea appears to destroy marine shells as fast as they are thrown up. 

 On the island, and in the little rivulet back of the town, a Nerita and Mytilus were the only 

 fresh-water shells, and a small crab the only Crustacea. There is also a crayfish (astacus), of 

 which specimens were subsequently obtained, though none were seen at the time of my visit. 

 Each of these is appropriately mentioned by Mr. Charles Girard, to whom the specimens were 

 referred. 



April 2. The day was overcast and raw, threatening rain all the morning. Most of the 

 launches bound up the river were deeply laden with machinery for an extensive flour-mill 

 erecting on the Loncomilla ; and, as there was little probability that the voyage to Perales, 

 by which they must pass, would be made short of five days, it seemed preferable to risk 

 waiting for another arrival from above. However, shortly after noon Nor Nicolas, who was 

 on the look-out, came with intelligence that a fine new boat was about to leave, and if I 



