202 A VISIT TO THE NORTHERNMOST FOREST OF CHILE. 
for the famous copper-mines of Tamaya, with which it is united by 
a railway. Then we passed in front of the bay of Herradura 
(Horse-shoe Bay), with Herradura on its southern and Guayacan 
on its northern end, and having rounded another small and hilly 
point we entered the port of Coquimbo. Coquimbo is situated at 
the south side of a large semicircular bay, closed to the south by 
the before-mentioned point, to the north by the far point, Teatinos ; 
and north-east from Coquimbo are visible the towers and higher 
parts of Serena, the chief city of the province. We disembarked 
immediately, and went by the next train to Serena. 
oquimbo is a little city of only a few streets parallel to the 
sides of the square and in part to the shore, having at its back a 
low hill of limestone, which shelters it against the south wind. 
e hill ends with the last houses; from there begins as far as 
accompanied by a friend, Mr. Minnich, to whom I am mu 
obliged for his aid and kind services, taking our way across the 
river Coquimbo, which runs north of Serena, very close to 1t. In 
passed, on the north side of the river, first through a long alley of 
and then 
ascended a low hill, level and nearly bare on the top at first ies 
d 
vegetation-—tufts of Cactus, consisting of Cercus quisco ?, Eulychina 
eburnea (Salm.) Ph., an Hchinocactus growing in e , 
to fifty individuals being agglomerated together, and in the midst 0 
eee 
* The only species of this genus in South America, found from the Pacific a 
the Atlantic Ocean, and from New Granada to the Straits of Magellan. It is oe 
largest tree in the province of Coquimbo, where it grows in nearly all wet aD 
low places, and attains sometimes enormous dimensions. It should properly 
bear the name of S. chilensis Mol, 
