COAST OF CHILT. 



13 



of vegetation left, and the hills and plains were 

 covered with bare sand, excepting where the 

 stream of water caused by the melting of the snow 

 amongst the Andes gave animation to the chan- 

 nel which leads it to the sea. The respective la- 

 titudes of these places are 37^ 33^ 30^ and 28^^ 

 south. 



The village of Asiento is pleasantly situated on 

 the banks of the river, with gardens and trees be- 

 tween the houses and the stream, and shady walks 

 reaching from the doors to the water. We were 

 kindly received by a gentleman connected in the 

 mining business with our Coquimbo host, who ac- 

 companied us on this excursion. 



As our time was short, we proceeded immedi- 

 ately to see the operation of smelting the copper- 

 ore, in the rude manner of the country. On 

 coming to the river, we found it unusually swol- 

 len, owing to a thaw in the upper country : the 

 guide hesitated, for some time, as to the possibi- 

 lity of crossing, till one of the officers of the ship, 

 followed by the rest of the party, cut the mat- 

 ter short by plunging in ; and although they were 

 drifted a considerable way down, at length reach- 



