C IT I L I. 203 
two hundred feet, where some fragments of coal, more, however, 
resembling lignite, and retaining perfectly the structure of the 
original wood, were found. Other pieces had the form of coal, 
and on ignition burned quite freely, showing the presence of bitumen 
and sulphur. The last was always found in small lumps, resembling 
the siftings of coal, and was embedded in a friable earth, containing 
saltpetre. No coal was found in situ; their time did not admit of any 
extended examination. Coal would indeed be a most valuable discovery 
for the Chilian mines, where wood is so scarce that they are prevented 
from reducing the ore, and in consequence, as I have before remarked, 
they are obliged to send it to Valparaiso for shipment. The principal 
ores which the mine of Mr. Newman affords, are the vitreous, gray, and 
variegated copper. Copper pyrites, and the red oxide of copper, also 
occur, and the silicious carbonate (chrysocolla) is abundantly disse- 
minated through the rocks. These ores are generally massive, or 
show only imperfect traces of crystallization. Native copper is 
rarely found at this mine. Its occurrence is not welcomed by the 
miners, as they consider it a sure sign that the vein will soon run out. 
It is usually found with large quantities of red oxide of copper. 
According to Mr. Dana this would seem to indicate, that the native 
copper and red oxide have originated from the reduction of other ores 
by heat, and this would account for the above fact, which seems to be 
well established among miners. 
Copper ores occur sparingly at other localities in this part of Chili ; 
the valuable mines are chiefly confined to the northern provinces. 
After again returning to Jaquel, they mounted their horses, and 
reached San Felipe, after about two hours' hard gallop. The tem- 
perature during the day varied from 44° at six o'clock in the morning, 
at Jaquel, to 58° at noon, on the hill at the mines; and at 10, p. m., 
at San Felipe, it was at 47°. 
On the 22d, they set out on their return, after a good deal of delay, 
owing to the stupidity of their peon, who had indulged too much in 
his favourite chicha. Nothing could exceed the kindness and atten- 
tion shown them by Mr. Newman and his lady and Mr. Chase. Mr. 
Alderson, the agent, devoted himself to them for two days, during 
which time he left nothing undone that could promote and forward 
the object of their visit. It affords me great pleasure to bear testi- 
mony also to the numerous fine specimens of copper, &c, from other 
mines, which Mr. Newman presented to the Expedition, and to 
return him our thanks for them and the kind attention of his lady. 
