1835. 



COCHAYUYO — COAL. 



423 



on the shores continually washed by the sea, or on those tracks 

 which have been overflowed by an extraordinary tide. They 

 adhere to a sea-plant called cochayuyo (a). 



This plant divides itself into several branches, equal in 

 dimensions to the main stem. These branches successively pro- 

 duce others of the same proportion, so that the produce of one 

 single root covers a prodigious space. At the joints, where the 

 branches spring, is found this kind of shell-fish, where they 

 both receive their nourishment, and propagate their species.*" — 

 Ulloa's Voyage, translated by Adams, vol. ii. pp. 252-254. 



Not far from Old Penco is the stratum of coal about which 

 there has lately been much discussion. 



Herrera says, There is coal upon the beach, near the city 

 of Concepcion : it burns like charcoal."* Frezier bears witness 

 that near Talcahuano there is good coal, which can be obtained 

 without digging deeper than two feet ; and he declares that the 

 natives were astonished at his companions taking a substance 

 out of the earth to burn as fuel in their forge.-[- Captain Basil 

 Hall saw the place whence coal had been " worked without any 

 trouble. The seam is thick, and apparently extensive, and 

 might probably, with due care and skill, be wrought to any 

 extent.''^ Captain Hall " laid in a supply of coals at this 

 place. The coals, which were brought for us to the beach, 

 cost twelve shillings per ton, every thing included.^'§ Steven- 

 son says, " To what extent the coal reaches, has never yet been 

 ascertained ; all that has been used has been obtained by throw- 

 ing aside the mould which covers the surface. This 'coal is 

 similar in appearance to the English cannel ; but it is reason- 

 able to suppose that if the mine were dug to any considerable 

 depth, the quality would be found to improve.""|| 



Many other authorities^ might be cited to prove that coal 

 exists abundantly near Concepcion, and that it has often been 



(a) See note at end of chapter. 



* Dec. 8, 1. 6, c, 11. t Frezier's Voyage, p. 146. 



I Hall's Journal, vol. i. p. 303. § Idem, p. 307. 



II Stevenson's South America, vol. i. p. 121. 

 If The Earl of Dundonald for instance. 



