384 A VISIT TO THE SOUTHWARD. 



of water ; and finally the remaining ground mass, thoroughly mixed with water, is poured down 

 an inclined trough through a species of sieve made of bunches of loose wool. Two or three 

 such washings effectually liberate the gold from its worthless adjuncts. Specimens from these 

 mines form part of the collection brought home by the Expedition. 



The Chivato spur, probably a league and a half in length, continues to the Maule. To the 

 eastward the valley appears covered with verdure ; and there, the haciendas being supplied with 

 abundance of water, the proprietors are enabled to raise large surplus crops of wheat, which has 

 hitherto either been ground at Talca or sent down the river for shipment to the north. Like the 

 other water-courses which have been mentioned, the Maule above Perales is composed of several 

 small streams, spreading over a bed a mile wide. Its north shore, like that of the Cachapual, 

 is much the higher ; the southern being very little above the surface of the water. Thence 

 the plain again gradually rises until, at the distance of ten miles, it is traversed in a northwest 

 direction by the Loncomilla,* bounded by steep banks some thirty feet high. Though too deep 

 to ford even at this season of the year, the main stream of the Maule is not more than thirty-five 

 yards wade; then follow, for the space already mentioned, islands of shingle, with small trees 

 and bushes, and other intersecting rivulets. During winter rains, and in summer when the 

 snow melts rapidly on the lower ranges of the Andes, the islands are sometimes entirely sub- 

 merged ; and for days it is wholly impassable, the launch kept at the ferry not daring to venture 

 on so wild a torrent. Near both shores there are a number of poor ranches, whose occupants 

 are frequently on the very verge of starvation, their whole winter dependence being the savings 

 from their chacras in autumn, over which the floods may bring destruction. 



Immediately after leaving the river the character of the surface soil again changes, and' is 

 light sand, so deep that a horse sinks to the fetlocks, though I am credibly informed there is suffi- 

 cient mould beneath it to produce excellent pasturage (alfalfa) as soon as irrigation is applied. 

 A little further on is Cerro Bobadilla, an eminence east of the road, not above a mile long, and 

 whose greatest height may be 200 feet. More than once it has been of especial interest in the 

 history of the nation : first when fortifications were hastily erected on its summit during the 

 revolution of independence, and more recently as the ground on which General Bulnes posted 

 his army when retreating from the Nuble. As the highest ground near the main road through 

 the great plain, and commanding the passage of the Maule, it will always be regarded as import- 

 ant by military men seeking advantages. From this to the Loncomilla three leagues by the 

 road there is a slightly undulating plain, covered with loose sand, and which has a moderate 

 acclivity from northwest to southeast. Except where irrigated, dwarf bushes are the only 

 species of vegetation. Of these the pichi (Fabiana imbricata) is the most abundant. Senor 

 Pissis tells me the same plant thrives in the province of Santiago, though at an elevation of 

 2,000 feet above the plain. Notwithstanding its actual desolation, and the considerable cost of 

 conveying an adequate supply of water to it, as the land may be made productive, tracts have 

 recently been sold for more than $50 per quadra of about four acres. It is in contemplation to 

 build a town two leagues from the ferry, its lower portion to be bounded by the Loncomilla. 

 The spot thus designated was a part of the field of battle the scene of a strife whose results have 

 probably no counterpart in history. Along the line of the road and within the triangle enclosed 

 between it, the Maule, and the Loncomilla, houses are extremely frequent. Towards the 

 southern angle the ground is much more broken, still further subdivided, and under more 

 extensive cultivation; indeed, perhaps no part of the province is better attended to. 



Two thirds across the plain, by the road, and to the east of the latter, are the houses of 

 Keyes or Urzua, as they have been indiscriminately called, in which Gen. Cruz established his 

 head-quarters when in pursuit of the troops commanded by Gen. Bulnes. They enclose a space 

 120 yards in a north and south direction, facing the road by rather more than 90 yards from 

 east to west. A corral forms a very large portion of the ground included. Except a single 

 door for the admission of cattle into the corral at the back of the enclosure, the only doors or 

 * In the Araucanian language lonco signifies "head," milla " gold." 



