OVALLe's HISTOmCAL RELATION OF CHILE. 4? 



There is no impolition on trade through all the kingdom, every one being free to 

 tranfport what goods he pleafes, either within or without the kingdom. 



CHAP. V.—^Of the famous Cordillera of Chik. 



THE Cordillera, or high mountains of Chile, are a prodigy of nature, and without 

 parallel in the world : it is a chain of high mountains, which run from north to fouth 

 from the province of Quito, and the new kingdom of Granada, to Chile, above a 

 thoufand Caftilian leagues, according to Antonio de Herrera, in his third tome. De- 

 cade 5., to which, adding the length of the kingdom of Chile to the ftreights of Ma- 

 gellan, it will make in all little lefs than i ,500 leagues. The remoteft part of Chile 

 is not above twenty or thirty leagues from the fea. Thefe mountains are forty leagues 

 broad ; with many precipices, and intermediate valleys, which are habitable till one 

 comes to the tropicks, but not beyond them, becaufe of the perpetual fnows with 

 which they are always covered. 



Antonio de Herrera, already cited, puts two chains of mountains ; one much lower, 

 covered with woods and handibme groves, becaufe the air is more temperate near it ; 

 the other much higher, which, by reafon of the intenfe cold, has not fo much as a bufh 

 on it, the mountains being fo bare, that there is neither plant nor grafs on them ; but 

 he fays, that on both thefe forts of mountains there are feveral animals, which, becaufe 

 of the fmgularity of their kinds, I fhall here defcribe fome of them. 



One of the moft remarkable is a fpecies of hogs, that have their navel in their 

 back, upon the back-bone ; they go in herds, and each herd has its leader, who is 

 known from them all ; becaufe when they march, none dares go before him, all the 

 reft follow in great order. No hunter dares fall on thefe herds till he has killed this 

 captain, or leader ; for as long as they fee him, they will keep together, and fhew fo 

 much courage in their own defence, that they appear invincible ; but as foon as they 

 fee him killed, they are broke, and run for it, giving up the day, till they chufe 

 another captain. 



Their way of eating is alfo admirable ; they divide themfelves into two bodies ; one 

 half of them goes to certain trees which are in a country called Los Quixos, in the 

 province of Quito, and are like the cinnamon-trees ; thefe they fliake to bring down 

 the flowers, which the other half feeds on ; and when they have eat enough, they go 

 and relieve the other half of the flock, and make the flowers fall for them ; and fo re- 

 turn the fervice to their companions that they have received from them. 



There are many forts of monkeys, which differ mightily in their fhapes, colour, and 

 bignefs, and other properties ; fome are merry ; fome melancholy and fad ; thefe 

 whiftle, the others chatter ; fome are nimble, others lazy ; fome cowards, others ftout 

 and courageous ; but yet when one threatens them, they get away as faft as they can. 

 Their food is fruit and birds-eggs, and any game they can catch in the mountains: 

 they are very much afraid of water, and if they happen to wet or dirty themfelves, 

 they grow dejefted and fad. There are alfo great variety of parrots. 



The wild goats are numerous j they are called Vicunnas, and have fo fine hair, that 

 It feems as foft as filk to the touch ; this is ufed to make the fine hats fo much valued 

 HI Europe. There are likewife a fort of fheep of that country, they call Quanacos, 

 which are like camels, but a good deal lefs, of whofe wool they make waiftcoats, 

 which are woven in Peru, and are more valued than if they were of filk, for their 

 Ibftnefs, and the finenefs of their colours. 



The 



