of Captains King and Fitzroy. 693 



pierce through being quite impracticable. The other associated species are, the 

 Wintera aromatica, the .Serberis ilicifolia, an arbutus, a fuchsia, the Gunnera 

 integrifolia, and Cineraria leucanthema of Banks & Solander, a ribes, cran- 

 berries, and a chamitis, which formed a verdant carpet, assisting them to 

 pass the bogs, which, with the rocks, seem alternately to form the surface of 

 this dismal country. In addition to these and some others, we have an 

 arborescent veronica (V. decussata?) growing to 20 ft. in height, and with a 

 stem 6 in. in diameter, which is so hardy that it resists the hurricanes (called 

 by the Patagonian name of williwaw), where nothing else will grow. 



Amongst other peculiarities of this curious region, the Melisiiga KingzV, a 

 humming-bird which has the extraordinary range of at least 41 degrees of 

 latitude along the western coast of South America, was found braving the 

 frost and snow, as it extracted insects from the fuchsia and other flowers in 

 almost every season; aparroquet, the Psittacus smaragdinus, which was first 

 announced by Bougainville, whose assertions were doubted by some theorists, 

 was also found abundantly ; and in one part the cormorants, of which there 

 are several species, bred on trees in great numbers. 



This vegetation was found to prevail as far as 47° on the west coast, where 

 the survey terminated; but we have a valuable account of the Island of 

 Chiloe, where they were obliged to go for the purpose of refitting. This 

 large island is in the same humid region, and almost constant rain prevails ; 

 but, from the latitude, it enjoys a more temperate climate, and the vegetation 

 is abundant and varied. The forests are composed as follows : — 



The Quadra heterophylla, a handsome tree, in appearance like the ash of 

 Europe, furnishes a light and elastic timber, fit for oars and some other 

 nautical uses. It is known by the name of avellana (hazel nut), from the 

 fruit, which is about the size of a cherry, and is roasted and eaten. No 

 doubt it received this appellation from the Asturians who originally settled in 

 the island, the nut being common in their native country. 



The Pagus obliqua Mirbel, a beech of large size, furnishes the best timber 

 in the island, serving for frames of houses, planking of vessels, &c. There 

 are two sorts ; one evergreen, which the writer thinks identical with the F. 

 ietuldides of the Straits of Magalhaens. We are not told whether one species 

 is preferred to the other, but the description applies to both. The people 

 have given it the name of roble, the Spanish for the Q. J?obur, or deciduous 

 oak, no doubt from its general application to the uses for which that tree is, 

 or rather was, applied ; for it is now too rare in the part of Spain above 

 mentioned. The periguas (canoes) are principally built of this timber. 



Tiqui, a heavy but strong and durable wood, of which the periguas are 

 sometimes built. 



Laurel, of which beams and other in-door works are constructed. In these 

 situations it is durable, but will not bear exposure to wet. 



The manu, a tall and straight tree, resembling a yew in the foliage. It is 

 useful for various purposes in ship-building, and, next to alerce, is the best 

 for masts. They endeavoured to procure one for this purpose, but all which 

 were tried were unsound at the heart, no doubt from excess of humidity in 

 the soil where they grew. 



Muermo, one of the most useful trees in the island, being used for timbers, 

 trees, and planking of boats, &c, and makes excellent firewood. 



Luma (Myrtus Liuna) is used for poles of carriages, rafters, trenails, &c, 

 and is exported to Lima. The fruit is sweet, and might afford a spirit by 

 distillation. 



A tree resembling the walnut in its wood produces strong and very useful 

 timber. 



There are several other species, of which the native names are given, of 

 various qualities ; but no botanical names are added, for reasons which we 

 shall state hereafter. 



The Araucaria imbricata is found in the interior of Conception, in Chile, 

 in lat. 37°. We are not informed at what distance the forests are inland, but 



