hibit the most pleasing as well as the most terri- 

 fying- features. That portion of the Cordilleras 

 which is situated between the 24th and 33d 

 degrees of latitude^ is wholly desert ; but the 

 remainder:, as far as the 45th degree^, is inha- 

 bitea by some coionies of Chilians^, who are cal- 

 led ChiquillaneS;, PehuencheS:, PuelcheS;, and 

 HuiliicheS:, but are more generally known by the 

 name of Patagonians. 



Sect. IV. Political Divisions. The political 

 divisions of Chili consist of the part occupied 

 by the Spaniards, and that which is inhabited by 

 the Indians. The Spanish part is situated be- 

 tween the 24th and o7tli degrees of south latitude^, 

 and is 'divided into thirteen provinces, to wit : 

 CopiapO:, Coquimbo, Quillota, Aconcagua, 

 Melipilla, and St. Jago, (which contains the 

 capital city of the country of the same name^ 

 Rancagua, Calchagua, Maule, Ytata, Chilian, 

 Puchacay, and Huilquilemu.* The division of 



says, " It is not true that the highest mountains are found 

 under the equator, since the Andes increase in height in pro- 

 portion as they recede from it.'' The Cordilleras are lower at 

 Copiapo, notwithstanding it is nearer the tropic, than in the 

 other parts of Chili. 



* I have thought proper in this place to give a short account 

 of the situation and extent of all these provinces, with their 

 capitals, ports, and principal rivers. I should also have given 



