1835. COCHAYUYO— COAL. 423 



on the shores continually washed by the sea, or on those tracks 

 which have been overflowed by an extraordinary tide. They 

 adhere to a sea-plant called cochayuyo (a). 



" This plant divides itself into several branches, equal in 

 dimensions to the main stem. These branches successively pro- 

 duce others of the same proportion, so that the produce of one 

 single root covers a prodigious space. At the joints, where the 

 branches spring, is found this kind of shell-fish, where they 

 both receive their nourishment, and propagate their species." — 

 Ulloa's Voyage, translated by Adams, vol. ii. pp. 252-254. 



Not far from Old Penco is the stratum of coal about which 

 there has lately been much discussion. 



Herrera says, " There is coal upon the beach, near the city 

 of Concepcion : it burns like charcoal."* Frezier bears witness 

 that near Talcahuano there is good coal, which can be obtained 

 without digging deeper than two feet ; and he declares that the 

 natives were astonished at his companions taking a substance 

 out of the earth to burn as fuel in their forge.-f- Captain Basil 

 Hall saw the place whence coal had been " worked without any 

 trouble. The seam is thick, and apparently extensive, and 

 might probably, with due care and skill, be wrought to any 

 extent."! Captain Hall " laid in a supply of coals at this 

 place. The coals, which were brought for us to the beach, 

 cost twelve shiUings per ton, every thing included.""^ Steven- 

 son says, " To what extent the coal reaches, has never yet been 

 ascertained ; all that has been used has been obtained by throw- 

 ing aside the mould which covers the surface. This "coal is 

 similar in appearance to the English cannel ; but it is reason- 

 able to suppose that if the mine were dug to any considerable 

 depth, the quality would be found to improve."|| 



Many other authorities^! might be cited to prove that coal 

 exists abundantly near Concepcion, and that it has often been 



(a) See note at end of chapter. 



* Dee. 8, 1, 6, c, 11. t Frezier's Voyage, p. 146. 



X Hall's Journal, vol. i. p. 303. § Idem, p. 307. 



II Stevenson's South America, vol. i. p. 121. 



If The Earl of Dundonald for instance. 



