CHIM. 



MO 



two-thirds of the country rue in gentle undulations, tod contain com- 

 paratively few steep and high hills. Hero also the rainn an by no 

 means abundant, nor do they U*t for toy length of time : agriculture 

 therefore cannot be carried on without irrigation, and the tracts of 

 ground under cultivation are not t*nive. No tree* of large aue 

 are fuund in Chili north of the Rio Cachapoal, but their number in- 



of the Rio Mmile the forests 



i farther couth, till on the banks 

 of high timber-tree* become very extensive. The Jiio Maul* rite* in 

 the Andei at the foot of the Peak of Deacabexado, near 38 8., and 

 runs fint nearly due watt. When it haa arrived at the more level 

 country it turn* north-west, anil flowing in a diagonal line, falla into 

 the sea about 84 40'. It U the mot northern of the navigable riven 

 of Chili At high tide* vessel*, not drawing more than 6 feet water, may 

 enter ita mouth, and proceed come Muall distance up it Flat river- 

 bargea may aaoend at any aeaaon for 20 miles and upward*. The 

 country along iU banks is remarkably fertile, and there are extensive 

 forests of timber-trees. The country between the Rio Maule and the 

 Rio Biobio U even better adapted to agriculture ; but since the expul- 

 sion of the Spaniards it has been nearly deserted, on account of the 

 frequent incursions of the neighbouring Indian tribes. This tract 

 contains much more level ground than any other portion of Chili 

 The Andes here terminate by a steep descent, and without offsets; 

 and at their foot bepins, in the northern districts, an undulating coun- 

 try, intersected with small plains. In the southern districts the level 

 country begins immediately at the foot of the range, and extends to 

 a considerable distance from it The Travesia (heath) of Y umbel, a 

 plain 60 miles long, and nearly as wide, between the towns of Yumbel 

 and Tucapel, is covered with sand and small pieces of volcanic matter ; 

 it is without trees, water, and vegetation, except at a few spots. 

 Po'ppig thinks it probable that it was once covered with water, and 

 formed a lake. A chain of low hills divides it on the south from the 

 plain of the Isla de Laxa, which is nearly as large, and contains only 

 a few low hills. This plain, which is covered with grass, is of great 

 fertility. The country between this plain and the sea U covered with 

 high but gently-sloping hills, which are partly clothed with wood and 

 partly bare and sterile. Along the rivers, especially the Biobio, the 

 oil is very fertile. The Kio Biotrio rises in the Andes near 38, 

 and runs in a west-north-west direction to the Pacific, which it enters 

 north of 87 S. lat, after a course of about 150 miles. In its upper 

 course it is deep and rapid. It becomes navigable for canoes and rafts 

 at Nascimiento, 40 miles from ita mouth, which Captain B. Hall found 

 to be 2 miles wide, though too shallow for large vessels. 



The country south of the Biobio, though included in the territories 

 of the republic, is for the most part in possession of the independent 

 tribes called Araucanos. [ARAUCAXA.] This country, so far as it is 

 known, is nearly covered with high trees, which frequently form im- 

 penetrable forests. The surface seems to be nearly a level up to the 

 foot of the Andes, with the exception of a range of hills running 

 north and south, and the soil very fertile, as may be inferred from 

 the great number of warriors whom the Indians can send into the field. 

 The Rio CaUacaUa (also named Rio de Valdivia) is by far the deepest 

 of the rivers of Chili : 60-gun ships can enter its mouth without great 

 danger ; but it Is not known how far it is navigable. 



Otology, Mineralogy, Ac. The geological character of Chili has 

 already been noticed under ASDKS, The higher parts of the Chilian 

 mountains appear to consist mostly of schistose rocks, while the lower 

 chains are granitic. Everywhere are traces of igneous agency. Sim- 

 iles, basaltic and felspathic porpnyrites, of rich red and brown tints, 

 trachytes, and other plutonic rocks abound. Hornblende and mica- 

 achists, clay-slates, and other metamorphic rocks occur everywhere. 

 Quartz occurs very generally in connection with metallic veins. The 

 carboniferous strata are richest in the district around Concepcion. 

 Limestone rocks of various qualities occur in numerous places ; ex- 

 cellent statuary marble is obtained in Copiapd. Gypsum abounds. 

 Lava, tufa, obsidian, Ac., are found in beds of considerable thickness 

 on the slopes of the volcanoes. 



Probably no country is more subject to earthquakes than Chili ; 

 they occur however much more frequently along the coast than in 

 the interior. In the northern districts slight shocks are felt almost 

 every day, and occasionally several time* in a day. Sometimes they 

 destroy the towns and lay waste a great extent of country. In 1819 

 the town of Copiapd was levelled to the ground, and in 1822 the 

 damage done in Valparaiso and the country about it was not much 

 lew. In 1835 the town of Concepcion was entirely destroyed ; and 

 in 1887 Valdivia was ruined. In the earthquake of 1822 the rooks 

 banloaing the harbour of Quintero, which is some miles north of the 

 Booth of the Rio Aconcagua, were raised 4 or 6 feet above their 

 former level In that of 1880 the coast about Concepcion and else- 

 where was in like manner raised several feet, but it appears to have 

 subsequently gradually subsided nearly to its former level. 



Oold dnst is found in the sand of nearly all the rivers which come 

 down from the Andes, aa in the Rio de Aconcagua, Rio Maule, and 

 Biobio. Some gold mines occur in the northern districta, where they 

 are worked, but the produce is inconsiderable. Others are said to 

 exist in the southern provinces. The total quantity of gold annually 

 obtained U about 36,000 ounce*. Silver is more abundant, but the 

 ore is not generally very rich. The average quantity of silver obtained 

 annually is about 1 82,000 ounces. The richest mini-s are in the vicinity 



of Copiapd. The copper mines are very numerous in the northern 

 district*, especially about Illape), Coquimbo, Copiapd, and Ouasco ; 

 copper is also found farther south in the Andes, but is not worked. 

 The copper of Copiapd U moat valued. The quantity of copper ex- 

 ported has of late years been about 100,000 cvsi. A small portion 

 comes to Europe, but by far the larger part goes to India and the 

 United States. Ores of lead, tin. /.in.-, iron, antimony, manganese, 

 arsenic, Ac., are said to exist. Sulphur U obtained of remarkable 

 purity. 



The coal formation extends under a considerable part of the southern 

 provinces. The coal obtained about Conoepdon is the best : it forms 

 an article of some importance in the trade of Valparaiso. Salt doe* 

 not exist in sufficient quantity. A good deal is collected in the lakes 

 of Bucalemu, south of the mouth of the Rio Maypu, in which the 

 salt-water of the sea is subjected to evaporation. A great quantity 

 of salt U imported from Peru and Patagonia. 



Climate, Ac. The climate of Chili varies much in the different 

 districts; but it appears to be almost everywhere healthy. The 

 climate of the central portion of Chili may be compared in some 

 degree with that of Italy. The greatest heat occurs in the months of 

 January and February, at which time the thermometer on the coast 

 frequently rises to 85 during the day, and 70 to 76 during the 

 ui};ht. The hottest part of the day is before ten o'clock in the morn- 

 ing, about which time wind riaes in the south, which often blows 

 with great violence. In the interior, even in the elevated valley of 

 Aconcagua, the thermometer frequently rises to 00 and 95 in the 

 shade ; and aa the southern wind is not strong here, the days are sultry, 

 but at sunset a delightful breeze springs up, which cools the air. The 

 months of March and April are much more temperate, especially in 

 the interior ; and at the end of April the rains generally set in, and 

 occur up to August, and then the Andes are covered with snow, which 

 generally lies for four or five months on the higher parts of the range. 

 Snow and also some ice occur in the elevated valleys, but it soon 

 melts, and the atmosphere is only chilly while the rain is falling. 

 Snow never occurs along the sea. The number of rainy days in the 

 northern districts is commonly fourteen, and seldom more than 

 twenty throughout the year. This rain, which is very heavy, seldom 

 falls for more than three days continuously. In the southern districts, 

 where the number of rainy days is much greater, being on an average 

 forty, the rain sometimes continues ten days without intermission. 

 After the rainy season, in September, the spring begins, which is 

 frequently more chilly than the winter itself, and ice is sometimes 

 observed even on the coast. Summer begins towards the commence- 

 ment of November, and then the sky, which during the spring is 

 covered with clouds, is entirely free from them. The heat gradually 

 increases, and in the northern districts vegetation begins to die away 

 in December, but in the southern districts the country is always 

 clothed with verdure, aa the plants are occasionally refreshed by rain, 

 and the dews are frequent and heavy. The mean temperature at the 

 mouth of the Rio Aconcagua in July and August is 70, and at 

 Talc-alumna, near Concepcion, one or two degrees leas. 



Chili is subject to strong periodical gales. In the beginning of the 

 rainy season (May and June) the north and north-western winds pre- 

 vail, and frequently blow with great violence. As all the harbours 

 of this coast are open to that quarter, vessels abandon them, and 

 weather the storm in the open sea. Between 25 and 35 S. the wind 

 during eight or nine months blows from the south or south-east, from 

 a little before noon till about sunset, but occasionally till midnight, 

 and frequently with great force, especially in summer and autumn. 

 At the same time a current, of about half a mile an hour, usually runs 

 along the coast to the north, both which circumstances favour navi- 

 gation northward, but the return to the south is rendered tedious 

 and difficult. Easterly winds are rare, except in September, wli< n 

 they suddenly lower the thermometer, and in February and March. 

 They often blow with such force as to throw down the strongest trees. 



Agriculture, Ac. Although much improvement has taken place of 

 late years the cultivation of the soil is in a very backward state. The 

 stimulus which has been given by the groat demands made by th> 

 foruian and Australian markets has done much to bring about a better 

 state of things ; and the government has anxiously encouraged the immi- 

 gration of European, and e*]>ecially of German, agriculturists, many of 

 whom have settled here. The soil is in many parts very fertile, and 

 some spots are now well cultivated. Very large quantities of grain, 

 Hour, and vegetables are exported, principally to California and 

 Australia, but also to the harbours along the western coast of South 

 America. 



Agriculture is almost limited to the productions of Europe. Maize 

 is grown everywhere, but not to a great am. mnt. Wheat is the staple; 

 it U raised all over the country, and gives in many places very abun- 

 dant crops, especially south of the Rio Maule. Barley is grown in 

 the southern provinces to some extent, but very little north of the 

 Rio Maule : oata only on a few estates. Leguminous vegetables are 

 grown abundantly, especially different kinds of beans, and supply an 

 article of exportation. Hemp is raised in the country north < 

 Rio Maypu; it grows to an extraordinary height and of mi 

 quality. Hemp is grown in no other country on the west coast of 

 South America, Intertropical plants do not succeed ; for though the 

 heat in the northern district is great the extreme drynesa of the air 



