The Geographical, Natural, and Civil History of Chili, Volumen 1

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Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1809 - 385 páginas

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Página 32 - ... with a fatal effect that nothing could resist. It destroyed with its pestilential breath whole families and tribes ; and the horrid scene presented to those who had the melancholy and...
Página 89 - Gold, of all the metals, is that which is most abundant in Chili, and it may be said that there is not a mountain or hill but contains it in a greater "or less degree ; it is found also in the sands of the plains, but more especially in those washed down by the brooks and rivers.
Página 33 - it is but little known in the Spanish settlements, and still less so among the Indians. As the last have no word in their language expressive of it, there is every reason to presume that this malady was not known among them until after the arrival of the Spaniards. The rickets, a disease which for three centuries has been a scourge to Europe, in as yet unknown within the boundaries of Chili, and lame or deformed persons are very rarely to be met with.
Página 309 - Valdivia, who gave it his name, and obtained immense sums of gold from its vicinity. In 1590, it was taken and plundered by the Araucanians (qv), the native inhabitants of the country. It was again rebuilt and fortified by the Spaniards. The harbor is situated in a beautiful bay formed by the river, and is the safest, the strongest from its natural position, and the most capacious, of any of the ports in the South sea. The town contains a college, built by the Jesuits, several convents, a parochial...
Página 32 - ... dragged forth from the huts, or which were mangled within them by the dogs, whose hunger was satisfied with the disfigured remains of their masters. Nor was it uncommon for the father of a family, whom the infection had not reached, to call them around him, to represent the cruel sufferings and horrid fate of their relations, from the influence of some evil spirit, who was preparing to extirpate their race ; and to incite them to baffle death, with all its horrors, by their own poniards. At the...
Página 66 - in the plains and upon most of the mountains," says Molina, " are to be seen a great number of flat circular stones, of five or six inches in diameter, with a hole through the middle. These stones which are either granite or porphyry have doubtless received this form "by artificial means, and I am induced to believe that they were the clubs or maces of the ancient Chilians, and that the holes were perforated to receive the handles.
Página 34 - It has luxuriant pastures, which feed numerous herds of cattle. It is rich in mines of gold, silver, copper, tin and iron. All the metals are found ; also a variety of earths and precious stones. It is free from dangerous or venomous animals, which are so much dreaded in hot countries, and has but one species of small serpent, and that perfectly harmless. The climate is remarkably salubrious, and the weather generally serene. In the northern provinces, it rarely rains, in some parts never, but...
Página 13 - The temperature of the air is so mild and equable, that the Spaniards give it the preference to that of the Southern provinces in their native country. The fertility of the soil corresponds with the benignity of the climate, and is wonderfully accommodated to European productions. The most valuable of these, corn, wine, and oil, abound in Chili, as if they bad been native to the country.

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