560 CHILLI 
was lodged about the rocky, angular summits. They may be ten 
thousand feet high. Twenty-eight miles to the east-northeast of 
Quillota, the road ascended a second cuesta, of less elevation than the 
first; and descending again, continued along the Concon to San 
Felipe, leaving but once the level of the plain, about six leagues be- 
fore reaching that city. This ridge, or third cuesta, as it may be 
called in future reference, curves around to the eastward, and assumes 
bold features, with a regular columnar structure above. On the oppo- 
site side of the valley, the lofty frosted ridges retreat to the north- 
ward: and thus, from betweeu these heights, we opened on the plains 
of Aconcagua. Beyond, to the east, rose the Cordilleras, at this late 
season clad in winter’s snows almost to their foot. San Felipe is but 
fifteen miles from the mountains. The Bell of Aconcagua disap- 
peared behind the nearer snowy heights as we approached the city. 
It is not in Chili, but belongs to the eastern Cordilleras in La Plata. 
The above descriptions are somewhat detailed, because, as they 
were the only routes traversed by the writer, there will be frequent 
occasion to refer to the places and cuestas mentioned. 
The general height of the Andes in this part of South America 
varies from twelve to fifteen thousand feet. The main ridge is a 
solid mountain mass, with httle that is striking in outline; here and 
there a peak hfts itself above the summit with a rude conical or tur- 
reted shape and jagged outline, consisting usually of columnar rocks. 
Near San Felipe, a little to the north, there are two of these elevated 
peaks, not far apart. One of them, the northern, has a slender conical 
form and pointed summit, and leans sensibly to the southward. ‘The 
other rises from a broader base, and has the outline of a truncated 
cone, though consisting, like the former, of columns. Behind Sant- 
iago is another of the prominent peaks in this part of Chili. It isa 
crested ridge standing high above the adjoining portions of the Cor- 
dilleras. Only these elevated points are covered with perpetual 
Snows. 
The eminences between the Andes and the coast vary in features 
according to their constitution. Those of a granitic or gneissoid- 
granitic character, have a tame outline, and prevail along the coast. 
The greenstone or porphyritic heights have usually a bold front, and 
a precipitous columnar brow overlooks the plains at their base. 
The surface of the country among the many hills, ridges and moun- 
tains of Chil, west of the great range, is, in most instances, nearly a 
perfect plain, and this level character is one of the most striking fea- 
