178 CHILI. 



difficult matter to acquire composure, on seeing the numerous tem- 

 porary lashings, giving ocular proof that accidents have been frequent, 

 however well satisfied one may be with the skill of the conductor. 

 Fortunately the road is excellent, though at this season (May) it is 

 divested of much of its beauty from the want of vegetation. The inte- 

 rest is, however, carried forward to the lofty peaks of the Andes, of 

 whose summits occasional glimpses are had ; and the eye glances over 

 the surrounding scenery in the immediate neighbourhood, that would 

 elsewhere be deemed grand, to rest on some high and towering peak. 

 Among these the peak of Tupongati is the most noted, ranking, since 

 the measurement of King, as next in height to the Himmaleh mountains. 



The first stopping-place is at Casa Blanca, a small pueblo of some 

 five hundred inhabitants, where travellers usually sleep. The accom- 

 modations were good, having been recently much improved. In the 

 neighbourhood is the only tract of woodland to be found in this part 

 of the country. The elevation of Casa Blanca, about thirty miles 

 from Valparaiso, is five hundred and ninety-eight feet about the level 

 of the sea. The primitive district extends about fifty miles from the 

 coast, and of course is found here. It is composed chiefly of gneiss, 

 which is generally easily decomposed. The mountains, in conse- 

 quence, are not rugged, but of an easy ascent, and mural precipices 

 are not met with. The gneiss was in some places observed to pass 

 into hornblende rock, resembling the trachytic or igneous greenstone. 

 It contains abundance of diffused epidote, and among the minerals 

 schorl was observed, but no garnets were found. 



The road from Casa Blanca next passes through Curacovi, a small 

 pueblo, three hundred and forty-four feet above the level of the sea, 

 where the trap rock first makes its appearance, and then over a high 

 ridge, called the Cuesta de Zapata. This terminates the first plain, 

 and divides it from the second, of similar character, which extends to 

 the Cuesta del Prado. It is passed over by a zigzag road, and was 

 found to be two thousand three hundred and ninety-four feet high. 

 On reaching the top, the view that presents itself is extensive and 

 magnificent. 



In front is the extensive plain of Maypo, with here and there a conical 

 mountain standing alone on it. At the extremity of the plain rise the 

 lofty peaks of the Andes, covered with eternal snow, some reaching 

 above the clouds. They appear but a few hours' ride off, although at 

 a distance of twenty leagues. On either side rise the high ridges of 

 the Cuesta. Beneath lie grazing grounds, extending over the plain, 

 and covered with flocks and herds. Variety and life are given to the 

 whole by the view of the national road, on which are seen numbers of 



