lies in latitude 55° 58′ south, and longitude 67° 26' west. Islands Diego Ramirez, in latitude 56° 25' south, longitude 68° 40' west. The other group of islands, which has been before mentioned, having no name, lies in latitude 56° 51' south, longitude 70° 40′ west, by the best calculation we could make; but the longitude of the latter group is very uncertain.

There are innumerable swarms of birds on the islands round Terra del Fuego, of the same species with those which have been described on the Falkland islands. Several kinds of excellent fish may be caught on its coast, and in the harbours. Whales are plenty all round on the east, south, and west parts of its shores. Plenty of fowls, which are good to eat, may be shot, with very little trouble; such as geese of various kinds, seven or eight kinds of ducks and teal, plover, curlews, snipes, partridges, quails, and many others. There are many kinds of birds of a beautiful plumage found here. From my own knowledge, and from what I have been credibly told by those who have visited these parts, I have no doubt but there are several kinds of animals on the main island, such as foxes, hares, and rabbits.

35

CHAPTER XVI.

Description of the Coast of Chili-Chiloe Islands-Baldivia-Mocha-Concep tion-Valparaiso-and Quoquimbo.

WHEN

HEN as far to the westward as longitude 78° 00' west, it will do to stand to the northward, by the latitude of Cape Pillar. The winds will not incline so much from the north west, after passing that cape as before; probably owing to the shape of the land, which runs from Cape Pillar to the south east a great distance, and no doubt causes the wind to blow in that direction. By standing to the northward by Cape Pillar, which is the south west cape, and Cape Victory the north west cape of the Straits of Magellan, on to the coasts of Chili, before obtaining a sufficient offing, there would be great danger of being driven on shore, or among the Chili islands, should a ship be caught in a gale of wind, so that she could not carry sail for any considerable length of time.

On the 12th of March, as has been before stated, we considered ourselves far enough to the westward of the cape, to stand to the northward with safety. We then found ourselves in latitude 49° 30' south, and longitude 86° 20′ west, by account; which, after making all allowances for the easterly current and bad reckoning, led us to suppose we were to the westward of 80°; but on the 18th we obtained several sets of lunar observations, which placed us in longitude 77° 40′ west, and at the same time, by reckoning, it was 86° The latitude was 41° south. Variation of compass 16° east. I would here remark, that it is very difficult to obtain observations for longitude, in making a passage round Cape Horn, on account of thick weather; and that all ships find a strong current setting constantly to the eastward. We found the winds blow chiefly from the south west, after getting to the northward of latitude 50° south, and as we advanced in this course it gradually hauled to the southward and castward.

50'.

On the 26th, we saw the island of Juan Fernandez, and landed upon it; and on the 31st, arrived and landed at Massa Fuero. A particular description of these islands will be hereafter given. From this we continued our course to the northward, on the coast of Chili. We will here give a description of this coast, beginning at its southern extremity.

All the coast of Chili, from latitude 52° 00′ south, or from Cape Victory down to latitude 41° 40′ south, is one continued chain of islands, inlets, shoals, and dangers; and if driven in amongst them, there would be great danger of losing the ship, and all the crew perishing; as this coast is one of the worst that is known, for a ship to be cast away upon. I became very intimately acquainted with a Spanish commander by the name of Calminaries, who was with Malispeena, when he surveyed this coast. He informed me, that there were many good harbours amongst these islands; but were very difficult of access. Hair seals were to be procured; but it was hazardous for a vessel to go to look for them.

After passing down the coast below the last stated latitude; it is in general clear of dangers. The climate becomes mild, and the weather pleasant. In latitude 40° 5' south, and longitude 73° 20 west, lies the town of Baldivia. This is the most southern Spanish settlement of any importance on the main coast of Chili. It is celebrated amongst the Spaniards in that part of the world, on account of the man whose name it bears, and because it is one of the strongest places on that coast. The next place of any consequence is Conception, which lies in latitude 36° 47′ south, and in longitude 73° 6′ west, and has a spacious bay. Valparaiso lies in latitude 33° 1' south, and longitude 72° 4' west. Coquimbo is in latitude 30° south, and longitude 71° 16′ west. These four ports are all which the Spaniards have on the coast of Chili, of any consequence. There are other small ones; but none that are large enough to receive ships. The country, from the latitude 42° 00', to latitude 27° 00' south, is cultivated, and produces all kinds of provisions in the greatest plenty. They are most easily procured near Conception and Valparaiso,

The Spaniards have settled the island of Chiloe. Its northern extreme lies in latitude 41° 40′ south. It is a great place for catching and curing fish. I have had several hundred weight of them. They exactly resemble the cod, which is caught in the

bay of St. Loire, and are a very delicate table fish. It also abounds with very excellent timber, suitable for ships and other buildings, and common cabinet work. "Chiloc, a considerable island, being one of the goverments of Chili, scated on its coast in the Southern Pacific Ocean in the gulf of Chonos, or the Archipelago of Guaytecas, and separated in its southern part from the continent by a narrow sea, which forms a bay. It is about 140 miles in length, by 30 in breadth. It lies between 41° 40′ and 43° 50′ south latitude. The principal harbour of the island, on the north coast, is Chacao, which is said to be well fortified and capable of good defence; and at Culbuco, which is larger, resides a corregidor, nominated by thè President of Chili, and also regidores and alcaldes, chosen annually. Besides the parish church, this place has two convents, and a college of Jesuits. The island is well peopled with Spaniards, mulattoes, and Indian proselytes."-Rees' Cyclo. vol. VIII. from CHA to CHR.

In latitude 38° 28' south, and longitude 74° 4' west, lies the island of Mocha; famous amongst whalemen and sealers, for wild horses and hogs. They are numerous on it, and it is common to go on shore and shoot them for fresh provisions. I have eaten of the horse beef, which was very good. The island formerly had black cattle upon it; but either the ships' people which stopped there, or the Spaniards,have destroyed them. It lies about fifteen miles from the main land, has a tolerable harbour, or anchoring place, on its northerly part; is moderately elevated land; good soil, and would be valuable if settled and well cultivated. The longest way is from north to south, not more than eight or nine miles, and two-thirds of that distance in width. There is an island called St. Maria, in latitude 37° 00′ south, and longitude 73° 34' west, which will be described hereafter.

In navigating this coast at any time between the months of October and April, the weather is pleasant, and the wind three fourths of the time from the south east, in moderate, steady breezes. I think I never witnessed such serene, pure air, as on this coast in summer; but in winter the winds are from the northward one half the time. from latitude 33° 00', to 40° 00′ south, and blow at times very strong, when torrents of rain fall. Off from this coast lie Juan Fernandez, the famous place of Alexander Selkirk's exile, and Mas

sa Fuero.

To the north of them, lie St. Ambrose and St. Felix?

These places will be hereafter described.

The country in the kingdom of Chili is remarkable for its mounA chain of them, of stupendous height, extends from near latitude 50° 00' south, down to the equator, with very few passes across them. Those which are farthest to the south are called the Andes, and this name is sometimes given to the whole chain, both those that run through Chili, as well as those that run through Peru. But the most common names given them at present are, those in Chili are called the Andes, and those in Peru the Cordelieras. They lie nearly parrallel to the shore, from fifty to an hundred and fifty miles inland. I have seen them most part of the distance, from latitude 40° 00′ south, to near the equator; having sailed along all that coast, frequently within five leagues of the land, and having an excellent opportunity of observing them. They sometimes are not visible in clear weather, when five or six leagues off shore. This is probably owing to their not being so high, or lying further back from the sea at some places than at others. They are sometimes to be seen partly covered with snow. Volcanos exist in the range, and particularly near the sea coast. There can be no doubt but they are the highest mountains in the world. The appearance of them is magnificent beyond description, when viewed from a ship's deck, eight or ten miles off shore; particularly when the sun is near setting, and the atmosphere clear; it then shines on their westerly side next the sea; in some places beautifully shaded, where one mountain stands a little in front of another, making the most interesting and splendid appearance that can be conceived of.

The next remarkable objects of this country are the mines of gold and silver, which have spread its fame over the four quarters of the world. In the kingdoms, as they are called, of Chili and Peru, there are great numbers of them; though but few that are profitable. I have seen a great quantity of copper at the port of Coquimbo, which was brought from these mines. It is valued much higher than the copper of Europe, being, as I understood, mixed with gold.

I was informed by the Spaniards when at Conception, that there were rich mines to the southward, in Chili, which they do not work, because the natives are so formidable in their vicinity.