25 



itself a new crater, and a neiglibouring moun- 

 tain was rent asunder for many miles in extent. 

 The eruption was accompanied by a dreadful ex- 

 plosion, which was heard throughout the whole 

 country ; fortunately it was not succeeded bj 

 any very violent shocks of an earthquake. The 

 quantity of the lava and ashes was so great, that 

 it filled the neighbouring valleys, and occasioned 

 a rise of the waters of the Tingeraca, which con- 

 tinued for many days. At the same time th.e 

 course of the Lontue, a very considerable river^ 

 was impeded for ten days, by a part of the moun- 

 tain which fell and filled its bed. The water 

 at length forced itself a passage, overflowed all 

 the neighbouring plains, and formed a lake which 

 still remains. In the whole of the country not 

 incliidcd in the x\ndes, there are but two volca- 

 nons, tlic first, itua(ed at the mouth of the river 

 Rape! , is small, and discharge^ only a little smoke 

 from time to time. The second is the great vol- 

 cano of Villarica, near the lake of the same 

 name in tlie country of Arauco. This volcano 

 pi ay be seen at the distance of 150 miles, and 

 although it appears to be isolated, it is said to be 

 connected by its base v, itli the Ande.c. The sum- 

 mit of the mountain is covered with snow, and 

 is in a constant state of eruption. It is fourteen 

 miles in circumference at its base, which is prin- 

 cipally covered with picajant forests. A great 

 number of rivers derive their sources from it, and. 



