21 



to be fourteen, which are in a constant state of erup- 

 tion, and a still greater number that discharge 

 smoke only at intervals. These are all situated in 

 that part of the Andes appertaining to Chili, and 

 nearly in the middle of that range of mountains ; so 

 that the lava and ashes thrown out by them never 

 extend beyond their limits. These mountains and 

 their vicinities are found, on examination, to contain 

 great quantities of sulphur and sal-ammoniac, mar- 

 casite in an entire and decomposed state, calcined 

 and chrystallized stones, and various metallic sub- 

 stances. 



The greatest eruption ever known in Chili was 

 that of Peteroa, which happened on the 3d of De- 

 cember, 1760, when that volcano formed itself a new 

 crater, and a neighbouring mountain was rent 

 asunder for many miles in extent. The erup- 

 tion was accompanied by a dreadful explosion, 

 w^hich was heard throughout the whole country ; 

 fortunately it was not succeeded by any very violent 

 shocks of an earthquake. The quantity of the lava 

 and ashes was so great, that it filled the neighbour- 

 ing vailles, and occasioned a rise of the waters of 

 the Tingeraca, which continued for many days. At 

 the same time the course of the Lontue, a very con- 

 siderable river, was impeded for ten days, by a part 

 of the mountain which fell and filled its bed. The 

 water at length forced itself a passage, overflowed 

 all the neighbouring plains, and formed a lake 

 which still remains. In the whole of the country 

 not included in the Andes, there are but two volca- 

 Boes, the first, situated at the mouth of the river 



