57 



Tinced it was originally marble reduced to this 

 state by volcaneos or subterranean fires. Its 

 surface appear to have been burnt, and the 

 surrounding mountains afford unequivocal proofs 

 of an extinguished volcano. 



This substance is distinguished from common 

 lime by several particulars : it is not so caustic 

 even when burnt; and, when mixed with acids, 

 effervesces but slightly, and deposits a neutial 

 salt of a very irregular crystallization. The 

 only use to which this lime is applied by the in- 

 habitants is to whitevrash their houses. It is 

 of two kinds, one perfectly white and easily re i 

 ducible to an impalpable powder, found in the 

 mountains of Cajchagua and Maule ; he other, 

 which is of a yellow hue, but become; paler and 

 discoloured with age, is brought from the pro- 

 vince of Chilian. 



The metallic earths or chalks, discovered in 

 Chili, are the mountain green and blue, 

 native ceruse, lapis caliminaris, brown, yellow, 

 and red ochres; of the laltcr there are two 

 varieties, one of a pale, and the other of a bright 

 red like cinnebar ; the last is called QiumcJiu, and 

 is mentioned by commodore Anson as being 

 found in great quantities in the island of Juan 

 Fernandez. Some give it the name of native 

 minium from its appearance, and its weight 

 differs very little* from tlsat of red lead ; it is 

 supposed to have been produced from the calci- 



4 



