1835.] A CURIOUS ROAD. 291 



Aconcagua), accompanied by an earthquake felt over 1000 

 miles, also occurred within six hours of this same time. 

 This coincidence is the more remarkable, as Coseguina had 

 been dormant 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 subterranean connection. If Vesuvius, Etna, 

 and Hecla in Iceland (all three relatively nearer each 

 other than the corresponding 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 eastern coast, and the upraised 

 recent shells along more than 2000 miles on the western 

 coast, show in how equable and connected a manner the 

 elevatory forces have acted. 



Captain Fitz Ro}'- being anxious that some bearings 

 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 22nd. 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 " fashion ; 

 and one may here enjoy the privilege, so rare in South 

 America, of travelling without firearms. At first, the 

 country consisted of a succession of hills and valleys : 

 nearer to Castro it became very level. The road itself is 

 a curious affair ; it consists in its whole length, with the 

 exception of very few parts, of great logs of wood, which 

 are either broad and laid longitudinally, or narrow and 

 placed transversely. In summer the road is not very 

 bad ; but in winter, when the wood is rendered slippery 

 from rain, travelling is exceedingly difficult. At that 

 time of the year, the ground on each side becomes 9 

 morass, and is often overflowed : hence it is necessary 

 that the longitudinal logs should be fastened down by 

 transverse poles, which are pegged on each side into the 

 <'Hrth. These pegs render a fall from a horse dangerous ; 

 as the chance of alighting on one of them is not small. 

 It is remarkable, however, how active custom has uMidc 

 the Chilotan horses. In crossing bad parts, where tl 



