142 JOURNAL. 
whence the clay has been dug, or rather scraped with the hands, 
serve for this purpose. The wood chiefly used for these simple fur- 
naces is the espinella or small thorn, not at all the same as-the espina 
or common firewood of the country, which is the mimosa, whose 
flowers are highly aromatic. The espinella has more the appear- 
ance of athorny coronilla. It is said to make the most ardent fire 
of any of the native woods. The pottery here is only for the most 
ordinary utensils; but I have seen some jars from Melipilla and 
Penco which in shape and workmanship might pass for Etruscan. 
These are sometimes sold for as high prices as fifty dollars, and are 
used for holding water. They are ornamented with streaks, and vari- 
ous patterns, in white and red clay, where the ground is black ; and 
where it is red or brown, with black and white. Some of the red jars 
have these ornaments of a shining substance that looks like gold 
dust, which is, I believe, clay having pyrites of iron; and many 
have grotesque heads, with imitations of human arms for handles, 
and ornaments indented on them; but, excepting in the forming of 
the heads and arms, I do not recollect any Chileno vase with raised 
decorations. * 
* On the Peruvian vases procured from the tombs, there are many and various patterns 
in relief; but I have not seen any modern Peruvian pottery. 
