32 CHILOE. 



on this same night; and still more surprised to hear 

 that the great eruption of Coseguina (2700 miles 

 north of Aconcagua), accompanied by an earth- 

 quake felt over 1000 miles, also occurred within 

 six hours of this same time. This coincidence is 

 the more remarkable, as Coseguina had been dor- 

 mant for twenty-six years : and Aconcagua most 

 rarely shows any signs of action. It is difficult 

 even to conjecture whether this coincidence was 

 accidental, or shows some subten^anean connec- 

 tion. If Vesuvius, Etna, and Hecla in Iceland (all 

 three relatively nearer each other than the corre- 

 sponding points in South America) suddenly burst 

 forth in eruption on the same night, the coincidence 

 would be thought remarkable ; but it is far more 

 remarkable in this case, where the three vents fall 

 on the same great mountain-chain, and where the 

 vast plains along the entire eastera coast, and the 

 upraised recent shells along more than 2000 miles 

 on the western coast, shown in how equable and 

 connected a manner the elevatory forces have 

 acted. 



Captain Fitz Roy being anxious that some bear- 

 ings should be taken on the outer coast of Chiloe, 

 it was planned that Mr. King and myself should 

 ride to Castro, and thence across the island to the 

 Capella de Cucao, situated on the west coast. 

 Having hired horses and a guide, we set out on the 

 morning of the 22d. We had not proceeded far 

 before we were joined by a woman and two boys, 

 who were bent on the same journey. Every one 

 on this road acts on a " hail fellow well met fash- 

 ion ;" and one may here enjoy the privilege, so 

 rare in South America, of travelling without fire- 

 arms. At first, the country consisted of a succes- 

 sion of hills and valleys : nearer to Castro it be- 

 came very level. The road itself is a curious affair : 



