15 



pital and waters the lands to tlie northward of 

 that city, is particularly remarkable for its 

 extent and solidity. They were likewise ac- 

 quainted with the use of the manures, called by 

 them vimalti, though from the great fertility of 

 the soil but little attention was paid to them. 



Being in want of animals of strength to till 

 the ground, they were accustomed to turn it up 

 with a spade made of hard wood, forcing it into, 

 the earth with their breasts ; but as this process 

 was Tcpy slow and fatiguing, it is surprising that 

 they had not discovered some other mode more 

 expeditious and less laborious. They at present 

 make use of a simple kind of plough, called 

 chetague, made of the limb of a tree curved at 

 one end, in which is inserted a share formed of 

 the same material, with a handle to guide it. 

 Whether this rude instrument of agriculture, 

 which appears to be a model of the first plough 

 ever used, is one of their own invention, or was 

 taught them by the Spaniards, is uncertain ; 

 from its extreme simplicity I should, however, 

 be strongly induced to doubt the latter. Ad- 

 miral Spilsberg observes, that the inhabitants of 

 Mocha, an island in the Araucanian Sea, where 

 the Spaniards have never had a settlement, make 

 use of this plough, drawn by two chilihueques, 

 to cultivate their lands ; and Fathers Bry, who 

 refer to this fact, add, that the Chilians, with 

 the assistance of these animals, tilled their 



