340 CENTRAL CHILE. 



there five days, being confined the two last by- 

 heavy rain. The buildings consist of a square of 

 miserable little hovels, each with a single table and 

 bench. They are situated in a narrow deep val- 

 ley just without the central Cordillera. It is a qui- 

 et, solitary spot, with a good deal of wild beauty. 



The mineral springs of Cauquenes burst forth on 

 a line of dislocation, crossing a mass of stratified 

 rock, the whole of which betrays the action of heat. 

 A considerable quantity of gas is continually es- 

 caping from the same orifices with the water. 

 Though the springs are only a few yards apart, 

 they have very different temperatures ; and this 

 appears to be the result of an unequal mixture of 

 cold water, for those with the lowest temperature 

 have scarcely any mineral taste. After the great 

 earthquake of 1822 the springs ceased, and the 

 water did not return for nearly a year. They were 

 also much affected by the earthquake of 1835, the 

 temperature being suddenly changed from 118° to 

 92'^.* It seems probable that mineral waters rising 

 deep from the bowels of the earth would always 

 be more deranged by subterranean disturbances 

 than those nearer the sui'face. The man who had 

 charge of the baths assured me that in summer the 

 water is hotter and more plentiful than in winter. 

 The former circumstance I should have expected, 

 from the less mixture, during the dry season, of 

 cold water ; but the latter statement appears very 

 strange and contradictory. The periodical increase 

 during the summer, when rain never falls, can, I 

 think, only be accounted for by the melting of the 

 snow ; yet the mountains, which are covered by 

 snow during that season, are three or four leagues 

 distant from the springs. I have no reason to 

 doubt the accuracy of my informer, who, having 

 * Caldclengh, in Philosopb. Transnct. for 1836. 



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