HIDE BRIDGE, SANTIAGO DE CHILE. 



CHAPTER XV 



Valparaiso — Poitillo Pass — Sagacity of mules — Mountain -torrents — Mines, how 

 discovered — Proofs of the gradual elevation of the Cordillera — Effect of snow 

 on rocks — Geological structure of the two main ranges, their distinct origin and 

 upheaval — Great subsidence — Red snow — Winds — Pinnacles of snow — Dry and 

 clear atmosphere — Electricity — Pampas — Zoology of the opposite sides of the 

 Andes — Locusts — Great Bugs — Mendoza — Uspallata Pass — Silicified trees 

 buried as they grew — Incas Bridge — Badness of the passes exaggerated — 

 Cumbre — Casuchas — Valparaiso. 



PASSAGE OF THE CORDILLERA 



.MarcJi yth, 1835. — We stayed three days at Concepcion, and 

 then sailed for Valparaiso. The wind being northerly, wc only 

 reached the mouth of the harbour of Concepcion before it was 

 dark. l^eing very near the land, and a fog coming on, the 

 anchor was dropped. Presently a large American whaler 

 appeared close alongside of us ; and we heard the Yankee 

 swearing at his men to keep quiet, whilst he listened for the 



