24S A VOYAGE TO BookVIIL 



being the cafe, inhabited in any proportion to its 

 fertility and extent ; but for want of a fufficient 

 number of hands, their commerce is at a very low 

 ebb, confifting ahnoft intirely in provifions, wine, 

 &c. and this is fo fmall, that it is chiefly carried on 

 by only a fingle fhip coming once a year from Calloa 

 to load with them, together with a few others trad- 

 ing to Chiloe or Baldivia, and in their return touch 

 here. Their exports are tallow, grafla, cordovan, 

 bend leather, excellent butter, wines, and dried 

 fruits. The goods brought hither in exchange are 

 the feveral forts of woollen fluffs from Quito, and 

 others from Europe, iron, and mercury. Very few 

 European goods are however imported for the peo- 

 ple here not being remarkable for their riches, ufe 

 only home made fluffs and bays, which tho' extremely 

 good are in no great quantity. The commerce carried 

 on between the inhabitants of Chili, and the Arauco 

 Indians, ihall be mentioned in its proper place. 



CHAP. VI. 



Defcrtpthn of Conception Bay; if s roads or 

 harbours, Jijh, &c. and the Jingular mines of 

 f jells in its neighbourhood. 



TH E bay of Conception, befides its excellent 

 bottom, is of fuch an extent, as not to be 

 equalled by any on the whole coaft. For from 

 Tierra-Firma, north ^ and fouth, its length is nearly 

 three leagues and a half, and its breadth from eaft 

 to wefl, almofl three leagues, being the diftance be- 

 twixt the harbour of Talcaguano, and the Ci- 

 rillo virde, or little green mountain, lituated near 

 the city ; from whence its breadth is contracted by 

 the ifiand of Quiriquina, which lying in the mouth 



