Io6 C. SKOTTSBERG 



eral quebradas belong, filled with maqui-infested, grazed luma forest' lower down 

 but higher up with fine primeval stands. Some gullies cut deep into the ridge 

 and end in an impassable saddle; on the south side is a precipice. Figs. 13 and 

 14 show two of these gorges. Fig. 1 5 is a general view of the Frances system ; 

 the letters a, b and c denote three conspicuous crests, easy to identify also on 

 figs. II, 13, 14 and 16. The stream has some water also during the drier sum- 

 mer half year. 



From Pto Frances the coast runs in an almost straight line to Pta Pescadores 

 (Fishermen's point). The trail crosses three valleys, Pesca de los Viejos, Laura and 

 Piedra Agujereada, none of which has been eroded down to the sea (fig. 16), but 

 all have been cut back deep and widened to form a basin furrowed by numerous 

 small tributaries. To call these valleys "apenas unas grietas", as Guzman does 

 (p. 26), is not to do them justice. 



Cordon de los CJiifladores (Whistlers' ridge, fig. 16) is, as most of the ridges 

 extending N — S, wide near the sea and narrows inland, in the steeper rise up 

 toward the crest approaching the knife-edge type. As everywhere along the north 

 side of the island the country near the coast is treeless. Possibly the forest never 

 went clear down to the cliff. This question was raised by Johow and commented 

 on by me (3 p. 800). I forgot then to mention Ermel's theory that, as the islands 

 are so much younger than the mainland, a vegetation cover has not yet had time 

 to spread to the coast! There is no need for a discussion. On C. Chifladores the 

 first forest is met with about 300 m above the sea, covering the ridge another 

 50 m and then passing into the usual low scrub. 



Near the seaward slope of the ridge is a dry crevice where a few stunted lumas 

 linger. We named it Q. del Lapiz (because I lost a pencil there). 



Q. de la Pesca de los Viejos (Old folks' fishing place, fig. 17) had very 

 little water in the stream in December and not much more in April. Along the 

 outer slopes the inclination is gentle; the middle section is steeper, up to 35 . 

 Scattered trees are remnants of the once closed forest. The interior is well wooded 

 up to the main ridge. Not much maqui was seen in this valley. 



Q. de Laura (fig. 18). Near the sea the valley sides slope 23 — 24°, a little 

 farther inland about 30°. None of these valleys is deeply eroded. There was some 

 water in the stream in December, but nothing in April when the picture published 

 in Skottsb. 3 fig. 32 on p. 889 was taken. ^ Fig. 18 shows the valley in August 

 The outer section is desert-like, the soil naked or covered with weeds, but a few 

 solitary trees may be seen. The slope facing E is more barren than the opposite 

 slope. The interior is filled with good, thick-stemmed forest. 



A high, well wooded crest, rising to at least 650 m, forms the background 

 of Q. de la Piedra Agujereada (fig. 19) which got its name from a rock pierced 



' For some of the leading species the local names are used. Canelo, Dn/nys co/i/crii- 

 foHa\ C\\on\.2i, Juanin ausiralis; Luma, Nothomyrcia Jernandeziana (Masatierra) and Myrceuge- 

 nia Schtdsei (Masafuera); Maqui, Aristotelia ;;/«$?/c/ (chilensis; a macal is a maqui grove); Naran- 

 jillo, Fagara mayu f^Masatierraj and F. externa (Masafuera :; Pangue, 6'//««t';v?/^//fl'/« (Masatierra) 

 and G. Masafuerne (Masafuera;. 



^ The text is incorrect. The photograph was taken by the author 17.4. 1917. 



