17 



The dews are abundant throughout Chili^ in 

 the sprini^, summer, and autumnal nights, and in 

 a great measure supply the want of rain during 

 those seasons. Although the atmosphere is then 



raerable, where the blossoms had been shed ; we observed 

 that the grass was very good, and that it was interiQixed with 

 a great number of peas in blossom. Among this luxuriance 

 of herbage we saw many hundreds of birds feeding, which, 

 from their form, and the unconnnon beauty of their plumage, 

 we called painted geese. We walked mere than twelve miles, 

 and found great plenty of fiiie fresh water." " The place 

 abounded with geese, teal, snipes, and other birds that were 

 excellent food." " On each side of Sedger river there are 

 the finest trees I ever saw." " Some of them are of a groat 

 height, and more than eight feet in diameter, which is pro- 

 portionably more than eight yards in circumference; so that 

 four men, joining hand in hand, coulu not compass them ; 

 among others we found the pepper tree, or Winter's bark, in 

 great plenty. Among these woods, notwithstanding the cold- 

 ness of the climate, there are ianumerable parrots, and other 

 birds, of the most beautiful plumage." " The country between 

 i'ort Famine and Cape Forward, v.Iiich is distant about four 

 leagues, is extremely fine ; the soil appears to be very good, 

 and there are no less than three prelty huge rivers, besides 

 several brooks." " I made another excuision along the shore 

 o the northward, and found tiie country for many miles ex- 

 i:eedingly pleasant, the ground being covered with flowers, 

 u'hicii were not inferior to those that are coni:iionly found in 

 our gardens, either in beauty or fragrance." Haifkesworth's 

 Voyages, vol. i. chap. 4. 



This description is no doubt correct, -^wA it is conformable 

 to that given of the country by many oiln r navigators, rut 

 how is it possible that so pleasing and pltntiful a vegtt.Uiou 

 VOL. 1. C 



