Nov.] 



ISLAND OF CHILOE. 



161 



inland, towards the Andean chain of mountains, between the parallels 

 of latitude 41° 40' and 45° 30' S., a distance of about eighty-five 

 leagues. Though I have never counted these islands, I have no doubt 

 that the Edinburgh Encyclopedia is correct in estimating their number 

 at eighty-two, of which thirty-two are inhabited. 



Isla Grande, or Chiloe, is the principal and largest of the group, 

 perhaps much larger than all the rest put together. It is also the most 

 northerly, with the exception of a few small ones in Purraraque Bay. 

 It is one hundred and twenty-five miles in length north and south, and 

 varies from fifteen to forty in breadth ; indented on each side with 

 bays and inlets, which in some places nearly cut it in two. It abounds 

 with forests of excellent timber, especially red cedar, which grows 

 here to great perfection. These forests are inhabited by a great variety 

 of beautiful birds and insects, and here also are found several species 

 of serpents, otters, deer, and black foxes. 



The principal productions of this island are timber, wheat, oats, 

 corn, beans, pease, apples, pears, peaches, plums, quinces, and cher- 

 ries. The crops of wheat, however, are seldom great, owing probably 

 to the humidity of the soil. Barley and beans are abundant, and 

 wine is plenty. Cattle and sheep were first introduced here from 

 Spain, and have so multiplied, as to furnish a great abundance of good 

 meat. The hams of Chiloe are probably the best in the world, having 

 a peculiar delicious flavour, which is attributed to the hogs' feeding 

 principally upon shellfish, with which the shores abound. Among the 

 articles raised for exportation are black-cattle, sheep, goats, horses, 

 hogs, and poultry. Of the vegetable productions, they have excellent 

 crops of potatoes, known by the term papas. 



The soil is good, but rather too moist ; and the climate is temperate 

 for that latitude ; being healthy, but often cold and rainy. The coun- 

 try is subject to earthquakes, and a very dreadful one took place in 

 the year 1737; when the Guaytecas, a group of islands to the south, 

 were covered with ashes. Chiloe abounds with timber of the best 

 quality, which is manufactured into boards, planks, &c. ; much of which 

 is exported. The principal trees are oak, red cedar, walnut, hazel, 

 myrtle, cypress, and laurel. There is also an abundance of ratans, 

 which furnish the Indians with cordage, and thatch for the roofs of 

 their dwellings. The face of the country in the interior is mountain- 

 ous. The waters around the shores of this island are teeming with 

 scale-fish of considerable variety and excellent quality ; particularly 

 the cod, which appears to be of the same species with those on our 

 coast. Shellfish are very plentiful and of many different kinds. 



The whole population of this island is estimated at about twenty- 

 five thousand ; but few of whom reside in the interior. There are 

 three towns and several villages, the most of which are situated on the 

 northern and eastern part of the island. The towns are St. Carlos, 

 Chacao, and Castro. The latter is situated on the east side, and has 

 a good harbour ; which is little frequented, however, on account of the 

 difficulty of its navigation. Chacao is on the north-east part of the 

 island, and for many years previous to the revolution was considered 

 the capital. But of late it has fallen into decay, while St. Carlos has 



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