13 



véry trifling ; it usually melts while falling, and it 

 is very uncommon to have it remain on the ground 

 for a day. 



In the Andes, on the contrary, it falls in such 

 quantities from April to November, that' it not only 

 lies there constantly during that time, but even 

 renders them wholly impassable during the greater 

 part of the year.* The highest summits of these 

 mountains, which are constantly covered with snow, 

 are distinguishable at a great distance by their 

 whiteness, and form a very singular and pleasing 

 appearance. Those of the inhabitants who are not 

 sufficiently wealthy to have ice-houses, procure 

 snow from the mountains, which they transport 

 upon mules. The consumption of this article is 

 very considerable, as a general use is made of it 

 in summer to cool their liquors. The maritime 

 countries, being at a distance from the Andes, 

 do not enjoy this advantage, but they feel the pri- 



* Those who venture to pass the Andes in the depth of winter, 

 when overtaken by snow storms are frequently frozen, as happen- 

 ed to the Spaniards under the command of Diego de Almagro, in 

 the year 1535. This has led some authors to assert confidently, 

 without attending to the difference of places, that such is theseve- ^ 

 rity of the winter in Chili, that men frequently perish with cold ; 

 yet it has been repeatedly proved, that in those parts not comprised 

 within the Andes, the weather is so mild, that it is very unusual 

 for the mercury in Reaumur's thermometer to sink to the freezing 

 point, and none of the rivers or streams are ever frozen. Abbé 

 Gauri says, in his Treatise upon Natural Philosophy, that the cold 

 is so extreme in the plains of Chili, that the inhabitants are com- 

 pelled to forsake their houses, and, like the wretched inhabitants 

 of the polar regions, to shelter themselves in caverns ; a story 

 which betrays no less ignorance of the real situation of Chili, thau 

 a total disregard of probability. 



