186 CHILL 



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 Bezoar 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 commu- 

 nication 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 left 

 Valparaiso on the 17th for San Felipe, which is about one hundred 

 miles north of Valparaiso. They were to have taken a barometer 

 with them in case of ascending some heights, but it was forgotten. 



These gentlemen took a biloche as far as Quillota, a distance of 

 forty miles, and proceeded thence to San Felipe on horses; for the use 

 of which they were to give thirty dollars each, and one dollar extra 

 for the service of the peon who accompanied them, for seven days. 

 The road to Quillota was found good, although many hills and valleys 

 were met with. 



For the first twenty-five miles the road passed along the sea-shore, 

 with no elevation over two hundred feet ; it was thought equal to the 

 most frequented turnpikes in our own country. At six miles from 

 Valparaiso, the road is cut through a bed of sienite, remarkable for 



