• the South-Sea. 14^ 



the Indians who live on the Continent are obliged to go and 

 fetch it ten Leagues from thence, at the Break of ?t\fagua i 

 with a Boat they have for that Purpofe ; but as it fome- 

 times happens, that the contrary Winds keep them back, 

 they are then obliged to fetch it five Leagues by Land, 

 at the Rivulet of Pica. 



The lfland of Iquique is alfo inhabited by Indians and Guana, *&r? 

 Blacks, who are there employ' d to gather Guana, being a it is. 

 yellowifh Earth thought to be the Dung of Birds, becaufe 

 befides that it ftinks like that of the Cormorants, there have 

 been Feathers of Birds found very deep in it : However it 

 is hard to conceive, how fo great a Quantity of it could be 

 gathered there > for during the Space of a hundred Years 

 paft, they have laden ten or twelve Ships every Year with 

 it, to manure the Land, as lhall be obfervM lower ; and 

 it is fcarce perceivable that the Height of the lfland is aba- 

 ted, tho' it is no£ above three Quarters of a League in 

 Compafs ; and that befides what is carry'd away by Sea, 

 they load abundance of Mules with it tor the Vines and 

 plow'd Lands oCTarapaca, Pica, and other Neighbouring 

 Places ; which makes" fome believe,that it is a peculiar Sort 

 ef Earth : For my part, I am not of that Opinion for it 

 is true, the Sea Fowls are there fo very numerous, that it 

 may be faid without romancing, that the Air is fometimes 

 darken'd with them. In the Bay of Arica, infinite Multi- 

 tudes of them are feen, rendezvoufing every Morning a- 

 bout ten o' Clock, and every Evening about fix, to take 

 the Fifli which at that time comes up to the Surface of the 

 Water, where they make a Sort of regular Fifhery. 



In the Year 17 13, Silver Mines were difcover'd twelve New Mines, 

 Leagues from Iquique, which they defign'd to work out of 

 hand,- it is hoped they will be rich, according* to all Ap- 

 pearance. 



From Iquique to Arica, the Coaft is all the Way very ani 

 high and clear, Ships muft run clofe along it, for fear cumnts. 

 left the Currents^ which in Summer fet K and N. W. 

 ftumld drive them out to Sea. However, it is alfo true, 



U 2 that 



