i83S.] A BARREN LAND. 335 



Quillota. We passed through an alluvial district rich in 

 gold, to the neighbourhood of Limache, where we slept. 

 Washing for gold supports the inhabitants of numerous 

 hovels, scattered along the sides of each little rivulet ; but, 

 like all those whose gains are uncertain, they are unthrifty 

 in their habits, and consequently poor. 



April 2^th. — In the afternoon we arrived at a cottage at 

 the foot of the Bell mountain. The inhabitants were free- 

 holders, which is not very usual in Chile. They supported 

 themselves on the produce of a garden and a little field, 

 but were very poor. Capital is here so deficient that the 

 people are obliged to sell their green corn while standing 

 in the field, in order to buy necessaries for the ensuing 

 year. Wheat, in consequence, was dearer in the very 

 district of its production than at Valparaiso, where the 

 contractors live. The next day we joined the main road 

 to Coquimbo. At night there was a very light shower of 

 rain : this was the first drop that had fallen since the heavy 

 rain of September nth and 12th, which detained me a 

 prisoner at the Baths of Cauquenes. The interval was 

 seven and a half months ; but the rain this )^ear in Chile 

 was rather later than usual. The distant Andes were now 

 covered by a thick mass of snow ; and were a glorious 

 sight. 



May 2nd. — The road continued to follow the coast at no 

 great distance from the sea. The few trees and bushes 

 which are common in central Chile decreased rapidly in 

 numbers, and were replaced by a tall plant, something like 

 a yucca in appearance. The surface of the country, on a 

 small scale, was singularly broken and irregular ; abrupt 

 little peaks of rock rising out of small plains or basins. 

 The indented coast and the bottom of the neighbouring 

 sea, studded with breakers, would, if converted into dry 

 land, present similar forms ; and such a conversion 

 without doubt has taken place in the part over which we 

 lode. 



May yd. — Quilimari to Conchalee. The country becann 

 more and more barren. In the valleys there was scarcel\ 

 sufilcient water for any irrigation ; and the intermedial 

 land was quite bare, not supporting even goats. In thr 

 sparing, after the winter showers, a thin pasture rapidh 

 springs up, and cattle are tiien driven down from tli 

 Cordillera to graze for a short time. It is curious ( 

 observe how the seeds of the grass and other plants seem 



