40 



as is discoverable in the ravines and beds of the 

 rivers. 



Sect. V. Physical Organization, — The marine 

 substances that are met with in every part of Chili, 

 are incontestible proofs of its having been formerly 

 covered by the ocean, which, gradually retiring, 

 has left the narrow strip of land extending from 

 the shore to the Andes.* Every thing within these 



* The retrocession of the sea from the coast of Chili is every 

 year very perceptible, although not the same in every part. In 

 some places it does not exceed two inches, while in others, espe- 

 cially at the mouths of the rivers, it is more than half a foot. 

 This circumstance, apart from other more general causes, is most 

 probably owing to the shoals produced by the flowing of so many 

 large rivers into the sea ; these consist the first year only of a 

 light sand, in the second they produce a little grass, and in the 

 third are entirely clothed with verdure. To this cause is the con- 

 formation of the shores assignable, which consist in general of a 

 plain two leagues bread between the sea and the maritime moun- 

 tains. Upon the western declivities of these mountains, the ves- 

 tiges of the ocean are still very perceptible ; they are excavated 

 in various modes, and exhibit many singular grottoes, containing 

 rooms hung with shells and beautiful spars, which afford shelter 

 to the cattle during the heats of summer. On the left bank of the 

 river Maúie, at four hundred paces distance from its mouth, is an 

 insulated mass of white marble, consisting of a single piece, seven- 

 ty-five feet in height, two hundred and tv/enty-four in length, and 

 fifty -four in breadth. This immense block, called, from its appear- 

 ance, the churchy is excavated within like an arch the third part 

 of its height, and has on the outside three doors of a semi-circular 

 form, and proportionate height and breadth. Through the one on 

 the western front the sea cootinuaîîy flows ; the two others, which 

 are on the north and south sides, and placed opposite, serve to ad- 

 mit those who wish to visit it at the tide of ebb. This natural edi- 

 fice, constantly washed by the sea, serves as a place of resort for 

 the sea-wolves, who herd in great numbers in the lower part, and 

 make the cavity re-echo with their lugubrious cries ; while the up- 



