198 CHILL 



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 em- 

 bedded 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 disseminated through 

 the rocks. These ores are generally massive, or exhibit 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, in about two hours' hard gallop. The temperature 

 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 attention 

 shown them by Mr. Newman, 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 testimony 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 tor 

 them and the kind attention of his lady. Our gentlemen returned to tne 

 rancho of Evangelisto Celidono, where they passed the night, and were 

 furnished with a like casuela as before. All the farmers they met 

 were a simple, good-hearted set, caring for little beyond their own 

 immediate neighbourhood, and knowing little but to supply their own 



