190 CHILL 
the city has been supplied for many years. It covers several acres. 
The snow line here seemed to have remained constant, and would 
have afforded a fine opportunity to have verified the rule of Hum- 
boldt, but they had no instruments. The height they had ascended 
was supposed to have been about eleven thousand feet, and the Cor- 
dilleras opposite them about four thousand feet higher. The view of 
the mass of the Cordilleras, in its general outline, was not unlike those 
of Mont Blanc and other mountains in Switzerland. 
Mr. Peale went in search of the guanacoes, and succeeded in 
killing one nine feet in length and four feet in height. They were 
found to frequent only the most inaccessible summits, and are said 
never to leave the vicinity of the snow. They feed upon several 
small thorny bushes, which impart a flavour to their flesh, and a 
smell to their excrement that may be distinguished at some distance 
from their places of resort. They make a peculiar sound when 
alarmed, like that of the katydid, (Gryllus.) This animal is never 
hunted for the market, though its flesh is good. The Benzoar is 
often found in its stomach, and is highly prized among the natives and 
Spaniards as a remedy for various complaints. It is also used as a gum. 
All the party suffered greatly from the heat of the sun's rays, and 
the dryness of the atmosphere. Their faces and hands were blistered, 
and the nose and lips made exceedingly sore, while the reflection 
of the light from the snow caused a painful sensation to the eyes. 
The next day they reached Santiago, whence they returned to the 
Port, as Valparaiso is usually distinguished in the country. 
Over the Maypocho at Santiago there is a substantial stone bridge, 
with five arches. For nine months of almost every year, the bed°of 
the stream is nearly dry. At the time of our visit it was about 
two yards wide and several inches deep; but in the winter and 
spring, during the melting of the snows, it becomes quite a torrent, 
and from the damage that has been done in former times, they have 
taken the precaution to wall it in on the side of the city, towards the 
Cordilleras, for several miles, with stone and hard brick. When 
swollen it is a quarter of a mile wide, rapid and deep, and would cut 
off the communication with the surrounding country were it not for 
the bridge. 
Messrs. Couthouy and Dana were desirous of making a trip to the 
copper mines of San Felipe, to which I readily consented, and gave 
them all the time possible. Although this was short, yet by their 
indefatigable industry it afforded some interesting results. They 
