SALT WORKS OF ARAYA. 71 



gypsum. Near Maniquarez, a conglomerate with cal- CHAP. vr. 

 careens cement rests on the mica-slate ; while on the upperstrau 

 opposite side, near Punta Delgada, it is superimposed on 

 a compact bluish-gray limestone, containing a few organic 

 remains, traversed by small veins of calcareous spar, and 

 analogous to that of the Alps. 



The saliferous clay is generally of a smoke-gray colour, Appearance 

 earthy and friable, but encloses masses of a dark -brown of^saiiferous 

 tint and more solid texture. Selenite and fibrous gypsum 

 are disseminated in it. Scarcely any shells are to be 

 seen, although the adjacent rocks contain abundance of 

 them. The muriate of soda is not discoverable by the 

 naked eye ; but when a mass is sprinkled with rain- 

 water, and exposed to the sun, it appears in large crys- 

 tals. In the marsh to the east of the castle of St Jago, Muriate of 

 which receives only rain- water, crystallized and very ^^^'^ 

 pure muriate of soda forms, after great droughts, in 

 masses of large size. The new salt-works of Araya have 

 five very extensive reservoirs, with a depth of eight 

 inches, and are supplied partly with sea-water and partly 

 with rain. The evaporation is so rapid, that salt is col- 

 lected in eighteen or twenty days after they are filled ; 

 and it is freer from earthy muriates and sulphates than 

 that of Europe, although manufactured with less care. 



After examining these works, they departed at the Overtaken 

 decline of day, and proceeded toward an Indian cabin ^^ "'§'"• 

 some miles distant. Night overtook them in a narrow 

 path between a range of perpendicular rocks and the sea. 

 Arriving at the foot of the old castle of Araya, which 

 stands on a bare and arid mountain, and is crowned with 

 agave, columnar cactus, and prickly mimosas, they were 

 desirous of stopping to admire the majestic spectacle, and 

 observe the setting of the planet Venus ; but their guide, 

 who was parched with thirst, earnestly urged them to 

 return, and hoped to work on their fears by continually 

 warning them of jaguars and rattlesnakes. They at 

 length yielded to his solicitations ; but, after proceeding 

 three quarters of an hour along a shore covered by the 

 tide, they were joined by the negro that carried their 



