^^:4ii^r^*^*^^^^^^^^^ -^-"^^T 



HIDE UKIDGE, SANriACO DL lHILE. 



CIIAPTI'R XV 



Wilparai^ri — i'oi-Lill<"> Pass — Sai^acit)' rif mules — ^Mountain- torrents — Mines, how 

 disco\ere(-l — Proofs of the gradual elevation of the Cordillera — Effect of snow 

 on locks — Geological structure of the two main ranges, their distinct origin and 

 uplieaval — Great subsidence — Red sno\^' — Winds — Pinnacles of snow — Dry and 

 clear atmosphere — Electricity — Pampas — Zool()gy of the opposite sides of the 

 Andes — Locusts — Great liugs — Mendoza — P'spallata I'ass — Silicilled trees 

 buried as they grew — Incas Bridge — Badness of the passes exaggerated — 

 Cumbre — Casuchas — ^'alparaiso. 



PASSAGE OF THE COIxUILLERA 



Mdi-th ~t/i, I S3 5. — We sta)'cd three da)-.s at Concepcioii, and 

 then sailed for \'alparaiso. The whid beiny northerly, \\'c only 

 reached the mouth nf the harbour of Coneepcion before it \\as 

 dark. Beiny \'cr}- near the land, and a fog coming on, the 

 anchor \\"as dropped. l^'e.^entl)- a large .Vmcrican whaler 

 appeared close alongside of us ; and we heard the \'ankcc 

 swearing at his men to Icecp quiet, whilst he listened for the 



