WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 105 



The lateness of the season unfortunately pre- 

 vented our seeing in flower much of what has 

 been enumerated. On the north side of the 

 river a plain extended to the hills, on which 

 were several patches of maize growing, and a 

 herd of horses and a few sheep grazing. Two 

 Indian huts were also situated there, the inmates 

 of which attended to the care of the stock and 

 labour of the cultivated parts. 



This plain was rented by a Chilian of Arauco 

 from the Indian proprietor. The land is exceed- 

 ingly rich ; and, whenever the time arrives that 

 Chili is able to extend her authority over the 

 Indian territory, the result of even a moderate 

 attention to agricultural pursuits must prove 

 most beneficial. At present, the system pur- 

 sued by the Chilian farmer, who is fully alive 

 to the value of the Indian land, is, by fair 

 means and persuasion, or bribery, to induce the 

 caciques to allow him to rent his land, which 

 they do for a mere trifle; the only use now 

 made of it is as a run, for the increase of 

 their cattle, which is the most important part 

 of a Chilian land-owner's property, — a Chi- 

 lino's riches being estimated in proportion to 

 the number of cattle he possesses. The price 



