PREFACE 



TO THE 



NATURAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 



The attention of Europe is at this time more 

 than ever directed to America. We are desirous 

 of obtaining information of its climate^ its natu- 

 ral productions^ and its inhabitants ; in short, 

 every thing that is worthy of notice in that part 

 of the world is now a subject of interest to the 

 most enlightened nations. 



Chili is acknowledged^ by all who have writ- 

 ten upon America^, to be one of its provinces 

 meriting the most attention. This country is 

 distinguishedj not so much by its extent^ as by 

 the mildness of its climate ; and it may be said 

 to enjoy all the advantages of the most fitvoured 

 countries without their inconveniences. 



In my opinion, it may, with propriety, be 

 compared to Italy ; as this is called the garden 

 of Europe, that, with more justice, may be 

 stvled the garden of South America. The 

 climate of the two countries is nearly the same. 



