PREFACE 



TO THE 



NATURAL HISTORY OF CHILL 



The attention of Europe is at this time more 

 than ever directed to America. We are desirous of 

 obtaining information of its climate, its natural pro- 

 ductions, and its inhabitants ; in short, every thing 

 that is worthy of notice in that part of the world is 

 now a subject of interest to the most enlightened 

 nations. 



Chili is acknowledged, by all who have written 

 upon America, to be one of those provinces that 

 merits the most attention. This country is distin- 

 guished, not so much by its extent, as by the mild- 

 ness of its climate ; and it may be said to enjoy all 

 the advantages of the most favoured countries with- 

 out their inconveniences. 



In my opinion, it may, with propriety, be compared 

 to Italy ; as this is called the garden of Europe, that 

 with more justice may be styled the garden of South 

 America. The climate of the two countries is nearly 

 the same, and they are situated under nearly similar 

 parallels of latitude. They likewise resemble each 

 other in the circumstance of their being of mucli 



Vol. L B 



