Xill 



The method that I have adopted in arranging 

 this work, has been to divide it into four chap- 

 ters : The tlrst, after a succinct geographical 

 account of Chili, which may serve as an intro- 

 duction, treats of the seasons, winds, meteors, 

 volcanoes, earthquakes, and state of the climate. 

 The other three I have devoted to a description 

 of natural objects, proceeding from the simplest 

 to the most complex, that is, from the mineral to 

 the vegetable and animal kingdoms ; and, in the 

 last, have added some conjectures cf my own re- 

 specting the inhabitants of Chili and the Patago- 

 nians, or pretended giants, whom I consider as 

 the mountaineers of that country. 



I have referred, as far as v, as in my power, the 

 various objects noticed to the genera of Linnjeus, 

 but in some instances where I have not been able 

 to reduce them to those that are known, I have 

 invented new, in conformity to his system. That 

 author's mode of classification I have not, how- 

 ever, pursued, as it appeared to me incompatible 

 with the plan of my work. Though I have fol- 

 lowed the system of that celebrated Swedish na- 

 turalist, it is not from a conviction of iti; supe- 

 riority to that of any other, but because it has 

 been of late so generally adopted ; for, great ag 

 is the respect which I fc^d for that learned writer, 

 I cannat alwavs approve of liii nomenclature, 

 and should have preferred pursuing the systeni 

 of Wallerius and Eomaro in iiiineralogy, thai of 

 2 



