154 



WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW. 



CHILE. 



which sheep were browsing. The church, which stands in 

 the middle, is entirely built of plank, and has a picturesque 

 and venerable appearance. The poverty of the place may be 

 imagined from the fact that, although containing some hun- 

 dreds of inhabitants, one of our party was unable anywhere 

 to purchase either a pound of sugar or an ordinary knife. 

 No person possessed either a watch or a clock; and an old 

 man, who was supposed to have a good idea of time, was 

 employed to strike the church bell by guess. The arrival of 

 our boats was a rare event in this quiet, retired corner of the 

 world ; and nearly all the inhabitants came down to the 

 beach to see us pitch our tents. 



VALPARAISO. 



THE Beagle anchored late at night (July 23, 1834) in the 

 bay of Valparaiso, the chief seaport of Chile. When morn- 



- 



CUSTOMS GUARD-HOUSE, VALPARAISO, CHILE. 



