166 



CHILI. 



inclosure from fifty to sixty yards square ; the in- 

 ner half, or that farthest from the entrance, being 

 left open to the sky, while the other part was 

 shaded with a rude sort of roof consisting of 

 branches of trees, and long broad leaves, placed 

 on trellis-work, forming a texture sufficiently close 

 to exclude the sun, but not intended to afford 

 any defence from rain ; for in these countries, it 

 must be recollected, that wet and dry seasons re- 

 cur at such stated intervals, that the inhabitants 

 can regulate the periods of their different occupa- 

 tions with a much greater degree of certainty than 

 can be done in Europe. 



On entering this court we looked along a wide 

 passage leading into the uncovered part. On the 

 right hand stood a double line of posts, joined by 

 cross bars ; and on the left were five separate 

 cells, formed of posts and cross bars six or eight 

 feet wide, and twelve or fourteen long. The rest 

 of the ground under cover was slightly divided, 

 by cross bars, into compartments of different sizes, 

 with passages leading amongst them. Beyond the 

 railings on the right hand ran a stream of clear 

 water, shaded by some large walnut trees, the 



