312 
CHILOE 
CHAP. 
spectacle. By the aid of a glass, dark objects, in constant 
succession, were seen, in the midst of a great glare of red light, 
to be thrown up and to fall down. The light was sufficient 
to cast on the water a long bright reflection. Large masses 
of molten matter seem very commonly to be cast out of the 
craters in this part of the Cordillera. I was assured that when 
the Corcovado is in eruption, great masses are projected 
upwards and are seen to burst in the air, assuming many 
fantastical forms, such as trees : their size must be immense, 
for they can be distinguished from the high land behind S. 
PANORAMIC VIEW OF COAST. 
OSORNO. QUELLAYPO. 
Carlos, which is no less than ninety-three miles from the 
Corcovado. In the morning the volcano became tranquil. 
I was surprised at hearing afterwards that Aconcagua in 
Chile, 480 miles northwards, was in action on this same night ; 
and still more surprised to hear, that the great eruption of 
Coseguina (2700 miles north of Aconcagua), accompanied by 
an earthquake felt over 1000 miles, also occurred within six 
hours of this same time. This coincidence is the more remark¬ 
able, as Coseguina had been dormant for twenty-six years : 
and Aconcagua most rarely shows any signs of action. It is 
difficult even to conjecture, whether this coincidence was 
accidental, or shows some subterranean connection. If Vesu¬ 
vius, Etna, and Hecla in Iceland (all three relatively nearer 
each other than the corresponding points in South America), 
