Nov.] 



PENINSULA DE TRES MONTES. 



159 



The western coast of South America, from Magellan's Strait to Port 

 Valdivia, deserves the attention of missionary societies. Here the 

 natives are living in the most wretched condition that can well be con- 

 ceived, in one of the finest countries in the world. The arts of civili- 

 zation, particularly that of agriculture, with a true knowledge of practi- 

 cal religion, would make them a happy and a grateful people ; and at 

 the same time open a lucrative trade that would prove beneficial to all 

 parties. This country is claimed by no civilized nation, the Spaniards 

 never having extended their conquests south of the archipelago of 

 Chonos, or Chiloe. 



Let us now return to the northern coast of the peninsula de Tres 

 Montes, from which we shall shortly proceed to the archipelago just 

 named. About twenty miles to the north-east of Taitaohaohuon Point, 

 keeping the mainland on board, there is a fine bay, with a spacious 

 entrance that cannot be missed, and a harbour that affords good 

 anchorage. It is sheltered at the entrance by several small islands, 

 which completely landlock the port, one island jutting past another. 

 In entering this harbour, there is no danger more than a cable's length 

 from shore, the usual depth of water being twenty fathoms between 

 the islands. When once inside, a ship may choose her anchorage in 

 from twenty to five fathoms. We anchored on the south-west side of 

 the port, in four fathoms, mud and clay bottom. 



The surrounding land is much elevated, and the woods near the 

 water-side are of an immense growth, and almost impenetrable. The 

 timber is oak, birch, beech, redwood, and a kind of bastard cedar, 

 which grows perfectly straight to a great height, and is very tough. 

 I observed another species of wood, resembling fustic, but tried no 

 experiments to determine its qualities as a die-wood. The groves and 

 forests are rendered vocal by many different kinds of birds of variegated 

 plumage. On the plains and uplands are plenty of deer, which are 

 very tame, and may be had for the shooting, with very little travelling. 

 I have singled out an individual among a large herd of these animals, 

 not more than forty yards distant from me. On hearing the report of 

 the gun, and seeing their companion fall, the survivors would stand in 

 stupid amazement, watching my motions as I reloaded the musket. A 

 second shot appeared to increase their astonishment, but excited no 

 alarm. A third, fourth, and fifth were attended with similar effects. 

 But when they heard the sixth report, and beheld half a dozen of the 

 herd lifeless or struggling on the ground, they awoke from their be- 

 wildered dream, and plunged into the forest. 



November I5tk. — After carefully examining the cluster of islands 

 near the peninsula so often mentioned, without finding any fur-seals, 

 we got under way on Monday, the fifteenth, and steered to the north- 

 ward. Between this peninsula and the main, to which it is joined by 

 the little isthmus of Ofqui, is a narrow bay or gulf, of which the isth- 

 mus is the southern boundary. From its entrance on the north, the 

 coast of Chonos on the main tends more easterly to the river Rabudos, 

 forming a hollow curve, where commences the Gulf of Chonos and 

 Guaytecas, in the waters of which are scattered those islands which 

 have given it the appellation of the archipelago of Chiloe and Chonos. 



