183 



the Indians flock thither in larg:e compaTue-!, and 

 take an astonishing quantity by striking tliem 

 from the shores \^ ith their lances^ formed of a 

 reed, which I have aheady described, called 

 coUn; and an equal abundance is to be found in 

 tlic mouths of all the southern rivers. 



In the Archipelago of Chil e, wlie e the fish 

 are still more plentiful, the inhabitants place in the 

 mouths of the rivers, and even in certain places 

 on the sea shore, palisades, leaving an opening 

 towards the sea, which, when the tide begins to 

 ebb, they carefully close. On the retiring of 

 the waterj the fish enclosed in these wears are left 

 upon the sand, and taken without difficulty. There 

 is almost always a greater quantity enclosed than 

 is wanted by the inhabitants^, who come thither 

 from all quarters to obtain a supply, so that 

 they frequently open the gate, and permit the 

 most part to escape with the returning flood. 



The cod is as abundant upon the coast of 

 Juan Fernandez as upon ih.Q banks of Newfound- 

 laru!, and caught with equal facility, for no 

 sooner is the line thrown in, than a fish is drawn 

 up. These fish ariive in large shoals, in the 

 months of November and D cember, upon the 

 coast of Valparaiso. The inhabitants formerly 

 paid no attention to this important fishery:, 

 but of late have pursued it with great success. 



la some parts of the coast, great numbers of 

 ,^sh are occasionally found upon the shore. 



N 4 



