424 MAULE— CONSTITUCION. April 



used. There are objections to it, by no means insuperable, 

 which have alarmed people, and checked the working of those 

 mines. It is said to be very bituminous — that it burns too 

 quickly to ashes to answer well for smith's work, because it 

 does not give heat enough — and that it is liable to spontaneous 

 combustion. The last objection might be removed by keeping 

 the coal under water,* and coking-f- would render it available 

 for the forge. Some geologists say that it is ' mere lignite,' 

 and think very lightly of its quantity or value ; but practical 

 men will doubtless attach some value to what has been proved 

 by experience. 



On the 17th of April, the Beagle sailed from Concepcion 

 Bay, examined Coliumo, and, coasting along, anchored off 

 the Maule River on the SOth. In a very thick fog, during 

 the night of the 19th, while carrying sail to get an offing, we 

 were within a fathom of being run down by a vessel crossing 

 us on the opposite tack. As both ships were under all sail, 

 and it was dark, our momentary sensations were far from 

 agreeable. 



To land here was perplexing enough, for a heavy surf broke 

 on the bar of the river, and nearly as much along the shore ; 

 but with some risk and difficulty we effected our purpose in 

 two light whale-boats, which could be hauled up directly they 

 touched the beach. Nearly all the population of a thriving 

 village, called Constitucion, came down to meet us (on the 

 21st), and assist in hauling our boats up the steep though 

 yielding sand, where, for our comfort, they told us a whole 

 boat's crew had been drowned, not long previously, in attempt- 

 ing to land. From a height overlooking the river, village, and 

 neighbourhood, we enjoyed a veiy pleasing view, so long as 

 we turned away from the bar of the river, and the surf. A 

 rich country and a fine river are pleasing things at all times, 

 but the difficult approach to Constitucion mars half its beauty. 

 Only the smallest craft can cross the bar ; it is dangerous 



* I do not mean merely wet, but well saturated and covered with water 

 till required for use. 



t It has been coked, and found to answer well. 



