224 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



around the vicinity of Lima. No less than twenty-four species of 

 pepper, and five or six of capsicum, are considered natives of Peru. 

 Tobacco and jalap abound in the groves at the foot of the Andes. 

 The chief shrubs of the uplands are the different species of cin- 

 chona, or the salutary peruvian bark. The caoutchouc (indian rub- 

 ber) is procured from the inspissated juice of a variety of different 



vegetables. 



Chili. 



The soil of Chili is extremely favorable to the growth of maize, 

 wheat, barley and rye. Hemp also grows well. The sugar-cane, the 

 cotton-tree, the banana, the sweet potato, and numerous other plants 

 are cultivated. The vine yields abundantly, and the olive likewise 

 attains great perfection. Forests of apples, peach and quince trees, 

 in some places, extend for leagues. Oranges, citrons and lemons, 

 are produced of an excellent quality. 



There are some sterile tracts, but in general the soil is remarkably 

 fruitful, and the products are rich and varied. The maritime tracts 

 are less productive than the midland, and these again yield to the 

 vallies of the Andes. Numerous plants are peculiar to the country, j 

 The uncultivated parts present the utmost profusion of vegetable ' 

 riches. The plains, vallies and mountains are covered with a variety 

 of beautiful trees, many of which preserve their foliage throughout 

 the year. Medicinal, dyeing and aromatic plants also abound, and 

 the fruits introduced by Europeans grow in greater perfection than' 

 in their native soil. 



BUENOS-AYRES. 



As almost every soil and climate is to be found within the limits 

 of this country, so every vegetable production would grow by 

 proper cultivation. Indian corn, cocoa, olives, sugar-cane, grapes, 

 oranges, lemons, citrons and figs attain great perfection. Wheat is 

 cultivated with success, and apples, pears, plums, cherries and other 

 fruifs are plentiful. Abundance of tobacco is produced in some parts. 

 The soil, like the climate, varies in this extensive country. The 

 forests abound with straight and lofty cedars, which are excellently 

 adapted for ship-building. There are numerous and beautiful species 

 of palm. The manioc, the maguey, bacoba, banana and pine-apple 

 are found in profusion. 



Climate. The climate is various, but generally healthy. The 

 atmosphere is very humid ; and during summer, rains are frequent, 



