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[w hich come from the n. occasion very heavy rains, accompanied with thunder, in all the provinces bey ond the Andes, ^particularly in those of Tucuman and Cujo, while at the same time the atmosphere of Chile is constantly clear, and its inhabitants enjoy their finest season. The contrary takes place in winter, wl)ich is the fine season in these provinces, and the rainy in Chile. Thes. wind never continues blowing during the whole day with the same force ; as the sun .approaclics the meridian, it falls very considerably, and rises again in the afternoon. At noon, when this wind is scarcely perceptible, a fresh breeze is felt from the sea, which continues about two or three hours ; the husbandmen give it the name of the twelve o’clock breeze, or the countryman’s watch, as it .serves to regulate them in determining tliat hour. Th is sea-breeze returns regularly at midnight, and is supposed to be produced by the tide; it is stronger in autumn, and sometimes accompanied with hail. The e. winds rarely prevail in Chile, their course being obstructed by the Andes. Hurricanes, so common in the Antilles, are unknowu here; there exists indeed a solitary example of a hurricane, which, in 1633, did much injury to the fortress of Caremalpo, in the part of Chile. The mild temperature which Chile almost always enjoys must depend entirely upon the succession of these winds, as a situation so near thetroj)ic would naturally expose it to a more violent degree of heat. In addition to those, the tide, the abundant dews, and certain winds from the Andes, which are distinct from the e. wind, coot the air so much in summer, that in the shade no one is ever incommoded with perspiration. The dress of the inhabitants of the sea-coast is the .same in the winter as in the summer ; and in the interior, Avhere the heat is more perceptible than elsewhere, Reaumur’s thermometer scarcely ever exceeds 25°. The nights, throughout the country, are generally of a very agreeable tem.pcraturc. Notwithstanding the moderate heat of Chile, all the fruits of Avarin countries, and even those of the tropics, arrive to great perfection there, Avhich renders it probable that the Avarmth ofthe soil far exceeds that ofthe atmosphere. The countries bordering on the e. of Chile do not enjoy these refreshing winds ; the air there is suffocating, and as oppressive as in Africa under the same latitude.
18. ]\Teleors . — Meteors are A'ery frequent in Chile, especially those called shooting stars, which arc to be seen there almost the Avliole year ; also balls of fire, that usually rise from the Andes, and fall into the sea. The aurora australis, on the the contrary, is very uncommon ; that which was
observed in 1640 was one of the largest; it was visible, from the accounts that have been left us from the month of February until April. During this century they have appeared at four different times. This phenomenon is more frequently visible in the Archipelago of Chiloe, from the greater elevation ofthe pole in that part of the country.
19. Volcanoes . — That a country producing such an abundance of sulphureous, nitrous, and bituminous substances, should be subject to volcanic eruptions, is not to be Avondered at. The numerous volcanoes in the cordilleras wmdd, of themselves, furnish a sufficient proof of the quantity of these combustible materials ; there are said to be 14 Avhich are in a constant state of eruption, and a still greater number that discharge smoke only at intervals. 'J’hese are all situated in that part of the Andes appertaining to Chile, and nearly in the middle of that range of mountains ; so that the lava and ashes thrown out by them never extend beyond their limits. These mountains and their vicinities are found, on examination, to contain great quantities of sulphur and sal-ammoniac, marcasite in an entire and decomposed state, calcined and crystaliized stones, and various metallic substances. The greatest eruption ever known in Chile was that of Peteroa, Avhich happened on the Sd of December 1760, when that volcano formed itself a new crater, and a neighbouring mountain Avas rent asunder for many miles in extent; the eruption was accompanied by a dreadful explosion, Avhich Avas heard throughout the whole country ; fortunately it Avas not succeeded by any very violent shocks of an earthquake : the quantify of lava and ashes was so great that it filled the neighbouring valleys, and occasioned a rise of tlie Avaters of the Tingeraca, which continued for many days. At the same time the course of the Lontue, a very considerable river, was impeded for 10 days, by a part of the mountain which fell and filled its bed ; the Avater at length forced itself a passage, overfloAved all the neighbouring plains, and formed a lake which still remains. In the Avhole ofthe country not included in the Andes, there are but two volcanoes ; the first, situate at the mouth of the river Rapel, is small, and discharges only a little smoke from time to time ; the second is the great volcano of Villarica, in the country of Arauco. This volcano may be seen at the distance of 130 miles ; and although* it appears to be insulated, it is said to be connected by its base Avith the Andes. 'J'he summit of the mountain is covered with snoAv, and is in a constant state of eruption ; it is 14 miles in circumference at its base, which is principally covered with]
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ipleasant forests : a great number of rivers derive *heir sources from it, and its perpetual verdure turnishes a proof that its eruptions have never been very violent.
20. Earthquakes . — The quantity of inflammable substances with which the soil of Chile abounds, rendered active by the electric fluid, may be considered as one of the principal causes of earthquakes, the only scourge that afflicts this favoured cotintry. Another, however, not less capable of producing this terrible phenomenon, is the elasticity of the air contained in the bowels of the earth, in consequence of the water which, insinuating itself by subterranean passages from the sea, becomes changed into vapour. This hypothesis will explain why the provinces to the e. of the Andes, at a distance from the sea, are so little incommoded by earthquakes. Two, however, Copiapo and Coquimbo, although near the sea, and as rich in minerals as the others, have never suffered from earthquakes ; and whilst the other parts of the country have been violently shaken, these have not experienced the least shock, or been but slightly agitated. It is a general opinion that the earth in these provinces is intersected by large caverns. The noises heard in many places, and which appear to indicate the passage of waters, or subterraneous winds, seem to confirm this opinion, and it is highly probable that by affording a free vent to the inflamed substances, these caverns may serve to counteract the progress of those convulsions to which the neighbouring country is subject. The inhabitants usually calculate three or four earthquakes at Chile annually, but they are very slight, and little attention is paid to them. The great earthquakes happen but rarely, and of these not more than five have occurred in a period of 244 years, from the arrival of the Spaniards to the present period, J8I2. From a course of accurate observations it has been ascertained, that earthquakes never occur unexpectedly in this country, but are always announced by a hollow sound proceeding from a vibration of the air; and as the shocks do not succeed each other rapidly, the inhabitants have sufficient time to provide for their safety. They have, however, in order to secure themselves at all events, built their cities in a very judicious manner ; the streets are left so broad that the inhabitants would be safe in the middle of them, should even the bouses fall upon both sides. In addition to this, all the houses have spacious courts and gardens, which would serve as places of refuge ; those who are wealthy have usually in their gardens several i^eat wooden barracks, where they pass the night whenever they are
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threatened wdth an earthquake. Under these circumstances the Chilians live without apprehension, especially as the earthquakes have never been hitherto attended with any considerable sinking of the earth, or falling of buildings ; this is probably owing to subterranean passages coramunicatinowith the volcanoes of the Andes, w Inch are so many vent-holes for the inflamed substances, and serve to counteract tlieir effects. Were it not for the number of these volcanoes, Chile would, in all probability, be rendered uninhabitable. Some pretend that they can foretel an earthquake from certain changes in the atmosphere : although tins does not appear to be impossible, it is altogetlier discredited by many of the best writers on Chile : these observe that they will occur both in the rainy and dry seasons, during a storm as well as a calm.
21. Some detail of productions . — Chile produces none of those dangerous or venomous animals which are so much dreaded in hot countries ; and it has but one species of small serpent, which is perfectly harmless, as the French academicians ascertained when they went to Peru, in 1736, to measure a degree of the meridian. IJIIoa also, in his Voyage, part II. vol. 111. observes, “ This country is not infested by any kind of insect except the chiguas, or pricker, or any poisonous reptile ; and although in the w oods and fields some snakes are to be found, their bite is by no means dangerous ; nor does any savage or ferocious beast excite terror in its plains. The puma, or American lion, which is sometimes met w'ith in the thickest and least frequented forests, is distinguished from the African lion, both by its being without a mane and its timidity ; there is no instance of its ever having attacked a man, and a person may not only travel, but lie down to sleep with perfect security, in any part of the plain, and even in the thickest forests of the mountains. Neither tigers, wolves, nor many other ferocious beasts that infest the neighbouring countries, are known there. Probably the great ridge of the Andes, which is every where extremely steep, and covered with snow, serves as a barrier to their passage. The mildness of the climate may also be unfavourable to them, as the greater part of these animals are natives of the hottest countries. Horses, asses, cattle, sheep, goats, many kinds of dogs, cats, and even mice, have been brought hither by the Spaniards. All these animals have multiplied exceedingly, and increased in size. The price of the best horses is from 100 to 500 crowns ; the asses are strong and stately, though hunted chiefly for their skins; and the mules are]
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rdistinguished for being very sure-footed and active. The horned cattle have, through the favourable temperature of the climate, acquired a larger size, while their flesh has become better and more nutritive ; the sheep imported from Spain retain a wool as beautiful as that of the best Spanish sheep, each sheep yielding annually from 10 to 15 lbs. of wool ; they breed twice a-year, and have generally two at a birth. The common price of cattle throughout the country is from three to four filippi (fifteen or twenty francs), but in the seaports the price is fixed by an ancient regulation, at 10 crowns ; of which the commandant of the port receives four, and the owner six.
The different kinds of trees known in Chile amount to 97, and of these only 13 shed their leaves : amongst the plants, there are 3000 not mentioned in botanical works. _The melons here are, according to Molina, three feet long, and the only fruits unknown are medlars, service apples, three-grained medlar, and the jujubre. Of the indigenous worms, insects, &c. are 36 species, andthetunicated cuttle-fish found here is of 150 lbs. weight. There are 13 species of crabs and crawfish found on the sea-coast, and four species in the fresh waters. There are 135 species ofland-birds, and of quadrupeds 36, without those imported. The various kinds of esculent fish found upon the coast are computed by the fishermen at 76, the most of them differing from those of the n. hemisphere, and appearing to be peculiar to that sea.
Amongst the earths of this country is a clay thought to be very analogous to kaolin of the Chinese ; another kind called roro, producing an excellent black dye, and represented by Feuille and Frazier as superior to the best European blacks. The membraneous mica^ otherwise Muscovy grass, is also found here in the greatest perfection, both as respects its transparency and the size of its laminae ; of this substance the country people manufacture artificial flowers, and like the Russians, make use of it for glazing their houses. The thin plates which are used for windows are by many preferred to glass, from their being pliable and less fragile, and possessing what appears to be a peculiar property, of freely admitting the light and a view of external objects to those within, while persons without are prevented from seeing any thing in the house.
22. Present revolution. — In Chile, the authority of the mother country has been superseded by the aristocracy of the colony. The government has fallen, peaceably and without resistance, into the hands of the great Creole families, who seem hitherto to have used their power with temper and moderation. See La PijAta.]
Same name, a river of the former kingdom (Chile), in the district of Tolten Baxo. It runs w. and enters the sea between the rivers Tolten and Budi.
Same name, a point of the coast of the province and corregimienio of Arequipa,
Same name, a small island of the S. sea, in the same province and corregimiento.
CHILENO, Paso del, a ford of the river Jazegua, in the province and government of Buenos Ayres, close to the river Cordobes.
CHILERIOS, a river of the province and government of Buenos Aires. It runs North Carolinan and cnler§ the river Negro.
CHILES, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Pasto in the kingdom of Quito.
[CHILHOWEE, mountain, in the s. e. part of the state of Tennessee, and between it and the Cherokee country.]
CHILIA, a settlement of the province and |corregimiento of Caxaraarquilla and Collay in Peru.
CHILINTOMO, a mountain of the province and government of Guayaquil in the kingdom of Quito ; inhabited by some Indians, who, although reduced to the Catholic faith, are nevertheless of such vile habits as constantly to manifest how deeply idolatry is rooted in them.
CHILIPUIN, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Chachapoyas in Peru.
[CHILISQUAQUE, a township on Susquehannah river, in Pennsylvania.]
CHILLAHUA, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Carangas in Peru, and of the archbishopric of Charcas.
[CHILLAKOTHE, an Indian town]on the Great Miami, which was destroyed in 1782 by a body of militia from Kentucky. General Harmar supposes this to be the “ English Tawixtwi,” in H utchins’s map. Here are the ruins of an old fort, and on both sides of the river are extensive meadows. This name is applied to many different places, in honour of an influential chief who formerly headed the Shawanoes. See Tawixtwi.]
[Chillakothe, Old, is an Indian town destroyed by the forces of the United States in 1780. It lies about three miles s. of Little Mimia river j the country in its vicinity is of a rich soil, and is beautifully chequered with meadows.]
CHILLAN, a city, the capital of the district and corregimiento of this name (Chillan) in the kingdom of Chile. It is very small and poor, although it contains some families of distinction. It consists.
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at the most, of 360 houses : for having been destroyed by tlie Araucanians, in 1599, it as never sine e been able to reach its former degree of splendour. Jt lies between the river Nuble to the n. and the Itala to the s. in lat. 35° 56' s.
another, a mountain or volcano of the same province and corregimiento (Chillan), at a little distance from the former city. On its skirts are the Indian nations of the Puclches, Pehuenches, and Chiquillanes, who have an outlet by the navigation ot the river Demante.
another, a small river of the same province (Chillan).
CHILLAOS, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of this name in Peru. It is of a hot temperature, and produces some tobacco and almonds.
CHILLOA, a llanura of the kingdom of Quito, near this capital, between two chains of mountains, one very lofty towards the e. and the other lower towards the s. It is watered by two principal rivers, the Pita and the Amaguana, which at the end of the llanura unite themselves at the foot of the mountain called Guangapolo, in the territory of the settlement of Alangasi, and at the spot called Las Juntas. In this plain lie the settlements of Amaguana, Sangolqui, Alangasi, and Conocoto, all of which are curacies of the jurisdiction of Quito. It is of a mild and pleasant temperature, although sometimes rather cold, from its proximity to the mountains or paramos of Pintac, Antisana, Rurainavi, and Sincholagua. Here was formerly celebrated the cavalgata, by the collegians of the head- college and seminary of San Luis dc Quito, during the vacations. The soil produces abundance of wheat and maize. It is much resorted to by the gentlemen of Quito as a place of recreation, it is eight or nine leagues in length, and six in width.
CHILLOGALLO, a settlement of the kingdomof Quito, in the district of Las Cinco Leguas de su Capital.
[CHILMARK, a township on Martha’s Vineyard island, Duke’s county, Massachusetts, containing 771 inhabitants. It lies 99 miles s. by e. of Boston. See Maktha’s Vineyard.]
CHILOE, a large island of the Archipelago or Ancud of the kingdom of Chile, being one of the 18 provinces or corregimientos which compose it. It is 58 leagues in length, and nine in width at the broadest part ; and varies until it reaches only two leagues across, which is its narrowest part. It is of a cold temperature, being very subject to heavy rains and fresh winds ; notwithstanding '
which its climate is healthy. Around it are four other islands ; and the number of settlements in these are 25, which are,
Achau,
Quehuy,
Lin-lin,
Chelin,
Llinua,
Limuy,
Qnenac,
Tanqui,
Meulin,
Chiduapi,
Cahuac,
Abtau,
Alau,
Tabor,
Apiau,
Quenu,
Chanlinec,
Llaycha,
Anihue,
Huar,
Chegniau,
Calbuco,
VAita-Chauquis,
Caucahue,
Isla Grande.
All of these are mountainous, little cultivatad, and produce only a small proportion of wheat, barley, flax, and papas ^ esteemed the best of any in America ; besides some swine, of which hams are made, which they cure by frost, and are of so delicate a flavour as not only to be highly esteemed here, but in all other parts, both in and out of the kingdom, and are in fact a very large branch of commerce. The principal trade, however, consists in planks of several exquisite woods, the trees of which are so thick, that from each of them ars cut in general 600 planks, of 20 feet in length, and of 1| foot in width. Some of these trees have measured 24 yards in circumference. The natives make various kinds of woollen garments, such as ponchos f quilts, coverlids, baizes, and bor~ dillos. The whole of this province is for the most part poor ; its natives live very frugally, and with little communication with any other part of the world, save with those who are accustomed to come hither in the fleet once a-year. Altliough it has some small settlements on the continent, in Valdivia, yet these are more than 20 or 30 leagues distant from this place, and are inhabited by infidel Indians. These islands abound in delicate shellfish of various kinds, and in a variety of other fish ; in the taking of which the inhabitants are much occupied, and on which they chiefly subsist. This jurisdiction is bounded on the n. by the territory of the ancient city of Osorno, which was destroyed by the Araucanian Indians, by the extensive Archipelagoes of Huayaneco and Huaytecas, and others which reach as far as the straits of Magellan and the Terra del Fuego, e. by the cordilleras and the Patagonian country, and w. by the Pacific or S. sea. On its mountains are found amber, and something resembling gold dust, which is washed up by the rains, although no
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mines have as yet been discovered here. These islands have some ports, but such as are small, insecure, and without any defence, with the exception of that of Chacao. The inhabitants should amount to 22,000 souls, and these are divided into 4 1 settlements or parishes, being formed by the reducciones of the missionaries of St. Francis, and consisting at the present day, for the most part, of Spaniards and Creoles. The capital is the city of Santiago de Castro, in the large island of Chiloe. [For further account, see index to additional history of Chile, chap. lY. § 35.]
CHILON, a settlement of the province and government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Peru ; situate in a valley which is beautiful and fertile, and which abounds in wheat. Twenty-eight leagues from the settlement of Samaypata.
CHILOSTUTA, a settlement of the province and alcaldia mayor of Zedales in the kingdom of Guatemala.
CHILPANSINGO, a settlement of the intendancy of Mexico, surrounded with fertile fields of wheat. Elevation 1080 metres, or 3542 feet.
CHILQUES Y MASQUES, a province and corregimiento of Peru, bounded by the province of Quispicanchi; s.e. by that of Churabivilcas ; s. and s. w. by that of Cotabambas ; w. by that of Abancay; and n. t®. by Cuzco. Its temperature is various, the proportion of heat and cold being regulated by its different degrees of elevation ; so that in the quebradas or deep glens, it is warm, and in the sierras or mountains, cold. It is 13 leagues in length, and 25 in width ; is watered by three rivers, which are the Cusibamba, passing through the valley of this name, the Velille, and the Santo Tomas ; over these rivers are extended seven bridges, which form a communication with the other provinces. It has likewise eight small lakes, and in some of these are found water-fowl. The hot parts abound in all kinds of fruits ; in wheat, maize, pulse, potatoes, and are well stocked with some sorts of cattle, and great herds of deer. Its natives fabricate the manufactures of the country ; such as cloths, baizes, and coarse frieze, by means of chorillos, or running streams, as they have no mills for fulling, since a royal licence is necessary for the making use of the same. Although the appearance of mines has in many places been discovered amongst the mountains, yet no mines have as yet been worked, and two only have been known to have been opened in former times. This province has suffered much from earthquakes ; and the greatest of these happened in 1707, when many settlements were made desolate. It is composed of 27 settlements, and these contain 16,000 inhabitants. The capital is Paruro ; and the repariimiento of the corregimiento used to amount to 84,550 dollars, and the alcamla The other settlements are.
to 676 dollars per ann. Colcha,
Araipalpa,
San Lorenzo, Parapacucho,
Ceapa,
Cuchirihuay,
Tucuyachi,
Coron,
Pacopata,
Aicha-Urinzaba,
Pilpinto,
Huayaconga,
Accha-Amansaia,
Parco,
Pocoray,
Hanoquite,
Corea,
Paucartarnbo,
Amacha,
Antapalpa,
Quilli,
Acca,
Vilque,
Capi,
Cavabamba,
Huancahuanca,
Yaurisque.
Same name, another settlement of the province and corregimiento of Lucanas in the same kingdom ; annexed to the curacy of Pucquin.
CHILTAL, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Atacames or Esmeraldas in the kingdom of Quito ; situate in the valley of Chota, on the shore of the river Mira.
CHILTEPEC, a settlement of the head settlement of Tepalcatepcec in Nueva Espana. Its temperature is the mildest of any part of its jurisdiction. It is situate in the middle of a plain, extending over the top of a hill, on two sides of which are large chasms, so immensely deep, that it is really astonishing to observe how the Indians contrive to cultivate the impoleras on their edges. It contains 67 families of Indians, and is five leagues to thes. of its head settlement.
Same name, a river of the province and alcaldiamayor of Tabasco, which runs into the sea.
CHILUA, San Marcos de, a settlement of the province and corregimiento of Huanta in Peru ; annexed to the Curacy of Huamanguilla.
CHIMA, a mountain of the kingdom of Quito, in the government and corregimiento of Chirnbo or Guaranda, to tire zo. of the settlement of Asancoto. It is entirely covered with woods and with streams, which flow down from the heights into the plains of Babahoyo. The river named De la Chima runs from e. tow. until it joins the Caracol. A way has been opened through this mountain which leads to Guaranda or Guayaquil ; but it is passable in the summer only. There is also another pass equally difficult and dangerous, called Angas. The cold is great at the top of the mountain, and at the skirts the heat is excessive, it i.s in lat. 44' s.
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