THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 413 



the mines at Tamaya to the bay of Tongoi, some distance to 

 the south of Coquimbo. As we rode along we gazed with 

 astonishment at the extraordinary aspect presented by the 

 precipitous Piqu^ mountain, with its mines, winding zigzag 

 paths, and long rows of whitewashed miners* houses, which, 

 placed at various elevations, presented exactly the appearance 

 of fortifications. A gradual ascent brought us at length to 

 the Piqu^ House, belonging to the proprietor of the mine of 

 that name, and remarkably situated at the top of a steep 

 precipice, at an elevation of 3800 feet above the level of the 

 sea. Here we remained for the night, being very kindly 

 received by a German gentleman, the cashier of the mine. 

 The following morning was at first misty, but before long- 

 cleared up to a bright sunny day, and the view from this 

 elevated situation was of a most remarkable character. The 

 small garden perched on the top of the cliff in front of the 

 house overlooks a large deep valley covered with a reddish 

 soil bare of vegetation, and surrounded by an amphitheatre of 

 hills in the form of a horse-shoe, of which the Piqu^ mountain 

 forms the central and highest part. Beyond this desert valley 

 extends the green fertile tract of the Limaree, and this is in 

 turn succeeded by range after range of hiUs, the view being 

 at last bounded by the snowy wall of the Cordillera. The 

 morning was occupied in the inspection of the works at the 

 Piqu^ mine, which, I believe, produces the richest quality of 

 copper ore in the world ; and early in the afternoon we took 

 our departure, riding over to PanulciUo, about sixteen or 

 seventeen miles distant. Here, where we were cordially wel- 

 comed by the managing partner of the mining company, we 

 spent a very pleasant evening, and in the course of the follow- 

 ing forenoon visited the celebrated copper-mine of Panulcillo, 

 exploring part of it under the guidance of the captain of the 



