160 ISLAND OF CHILOE. [1824. 



We first passed a multitude of small islands, a number of which are 

 inhabited by the Indians from the continent. The soil appears to be 

 richly spread over these islands, which produce an abundance of vege- 

 tables. It is said, however, that in the year 1737, at the time of a great 

 earthquake in the island of Chiloe, these were so thickly covered with 

 ashes, perhaps from a volcanic eruption, as to destroy almost every 

 species of vegetation for a period of thirteen years. Another account 

 says, that in the year just mentioned, an enormous globe of fire burst 

 on the Guaytecas Islands, and reduced all the vegetables to ashes. 



Here we may be said to re-enter the southern borders of civilization 

 on the Pacific coast, as we left them at Rio Negro on the Atlantic coast ; 

 for all the country south of these two points to Cape Horn, islands in- 

 cluded, is inhabited by wandering tribes of the human race, nearly 

 naked, and in the lowest possible state of ignorance, degradation, and 

 wretchedness. In all this extensive region of a most delightful country 

 (with the exception of Terra del Fuego), comprising fifteen degrees of 

 latitude, and seven or eight of longitude, there is not a city, a town, or 

 even a village of civilized beings, nor a single cultivated field or 

 garden ! 



The natives of the archipelago of Chonos, on the contrary, culti- 

 vate a great part of these islands, on which they raise wheat, oats, 

 beans, and potatoes ; besides many kinds of fruit, such as apples, pears, 

 peaches, plums, cherries, and a variety of herbs. They also raise 

 black-cattle, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, and poultry, in abundance. 

 The most of these islands rise perpendicularly out of the water, have 

 deep channels between them, and afford many good anchoring places, 

 where ships may lie in perfect safety. One thing, however, they did 

 not afford at this time, and that was the grand object of our search — 

 fur-seal. We therefore made the best of our way to the island of 

 Chiloe. 



November \§th. — We arrived at the south end of this celebrated 

 island on Wednesday, the 17th, and commenced searching the small 

 islands near it for fur-seals, but without success. We therefore entered 

 the gulf between the island and the continent, on Friday, the 19th; and 

 after examining the small islands as we passed, with, no better success, 

 we finally cast anchor in the port of St. Carlos, on the north-west part 

 of the island. 



November 23d. — It was on the morning of Tuesday, the 23d, at 

 eleven, A. M., that we came to anchor in the harbour of San Carlos 

 de Chacao, in four fathoms of water, muddy bottom, with the flag-stafT 

 on Fort Quintanilla, bearing east-north-east, distant one and a half 

 miles. 



The island of Chiloe, as the reader is already aware, is the princi- 

 pal one of a large group called the archipelago of Chiloe,* and by 

 some the archipelago of Chonos ; the latter being the name of that 

 part of the continent near the western coast of which these islands are 

 situated. They extend along the coast of Chonos, which here curves 



* The original settlers, having emigrated from Chili, as is manifest from their manners and lan- 

 guage, gave it the name of Chil-hue (hence Chiloe) ; i. e. a district of Chili.— Edinburgh Encyc. 



