Nov.] 



ISLAND OF CHILOE. 



167 



slit are also bordered with beautiful needlework. They are worn by 

 the gentlemen, as a protection from the weather ; and are so thick and 

 fine, that they turn off water nearly as well as leather. When the 

 wearer's head is put through the ornamented slit in the centre, the 

 poncho hangs about him like a blanket, and is the most convenient 

 garment to ride in, that could be invented ; the rider having his legs 

 and arms at liberty, and his body completely defended from the rain. 



The ladies have a handsomely striped cloth, manufactured of cotton, 

 very much like the poncho, about seven feet in length, and three in 

 breadth. This is suspended like a seaman's hammock, about two feet 

 and a half from the floor, in which the ladies amuse themselves by 

 swinging, sometimes in a lying and sometimes in a sitting posture, as 

 fancy or indolence suggests. 



The island of Chiloe is separated from the main or continent, by 

 the Gulf of Guaytecas, which is more than twelve leagues in width at 

 the south entrance ; but to the northward the passage is quite narrow, 

 being in some places not more than one league across, through which 

 the tide occasionally runs with great velocity ; at spring tides from six 

 to eight miles an hour. There are likewise several dangers in the 

 passage, which are concealed by the ripple of a strong tide, that rises 

 eighteen feet with a strong westerly wind. In passing through this 

 gulf or strait, vessels should keep the Chiloean shore best on board, as 

 the sunken rocks, reefs, <fec. lie on the opposite side of the passage. 



The coast on the main is indented by numerous inlets, forming la- 

 goons, rivers, creeks, bays, and harbours. This land is tolerably well 

 peopled, from the forty-first to the fifty-first degree of south latitude ; 

 especially in the valleys of the interior, on the banks of rivers, lagoons, 

 &c, and at the heads of bays. The coast abounds with sea-otters, 

 hair-seals, fur-seals, <fcc. ; and the interior with lions, tigers, deer, 

 guanacoes, hares, gray and black foxes, and many other animals 

 with which I am not acquainted, including a large black rabbit, which 

 has a fur equal to that of the beaver. There are many kinds of 

 ostriches, swans, &c, and thousands of birds with the most beautiful 

 plumage. There are likewise very valuable mines of gold, silver, 

 copper, lead, and iron ; medicinal plants, drugs, and die-woods, with 

 much valuable timber for ship-building and cabinet work. 



I feel very anxious to direct the attention of my enterprising country- 

 men to this long neglected, almost unknown region of South America. 

 A small exploring expedition, properly fitted out, and conducted by 

 men of skill and experience, would ensure golden returns to the pro- 

 jectors. The necessary investments of capital would be very trifling 

 to a company of merchants ; and if accompanied by one or two scientific 

 gentlemen, I stand ready to tender my professional services. The 

 spirit of commercial enterprise cannot much longer leave these, inter- 

 esting regions unexplored ; and I should be extremely sorry to see any 

 foreign competitor enjoy the fame and opulence which now court the 

 acceptance of my own countrymen. 



The port of St. Carlos is sheltered on the north-west by the penin- 

 sula of Lacay, on the west side of which there are many dangerous 

 rocks, running from one to three miles seaward ; and these require a 



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