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mildness of its temperature, which even in the middle of winter,
and at the height of nearly 2,000 feet above the sea, ranged no
lower than 45° Fahrenheit, and during the day the maximum
height of the thermometer never exceeded 62°.*(/c)
We returned to Valparaiso on the 26th of July, and made
preparations to sail; but were detained by a strong northerly
gale for many days, in which we were enabled to render assistance
to a large Indian trader that would otherwise have been
wrecked. On the 10th of August, we sailed for Chiloe; and
on our way were greatly delayed by southerly winds, which
carried us in sight of the island of Juan Fernandez. We
reached our destination on the 26th, and found the Beagle, to
our great delight, arrived, and all well. Captain Fitz Roy
came on board before we anchored, and gave me an outline of
his proceedings, and those of the Adelaide, which had not
* The following are the results of the barometrical determination of
the height of various points on the road between Valparaiso and San-
tia g o :—
F e e t above the sea.
Casa B lanca, ten leagues from V a lp a r a is o ..................... 803
Highest point of the road over the Cuesta de Zapata 1,977
In n at Curacavi ......................................................................
Pla in n ear Bustamente ............................................................ 808
Summit of Cuesta de Prado (not certain to 200 feet) 2,949
Inn, or post-house, at the base of the east side of the
Cuesta de P r a d o .................................................................. 1,804
Santiago, by mean of numerous observ atio n s................ 1,821
Miers makes the above places above the sea as follows :—
F e e t above the sea.
Casa Blanca ........................................................................... 745
Summit of Cuesta de Z a p a ta .. ................................* • • - 1,850
C u ra c a v i............................................................................. .
Summit of Cuesta de P r a d o ............................................ 2,543
Post-house, Prado ................................................................... 1,773
Santiago, mean of two observations.................................. 1,691
Do. byM ale sp in a 2,463 I
Do. Mercuric Chileno l,6 9 3 l i P ' U ,S 5 0 J ^
( k j Sharp frosts sometimes occur.—R. F.
returned, but was daily expected, having been despatched to
survey some interior channels on her way to Chiloe. Our
anchorage was off Point Arenas, which is not only the best in
the bay, but appeared to be well adapted to our wants. The
Beagle had arrived early in July, and had sent to Valparaiso
for stores with which to refit, and make preparations for another
cruize to the south.
The harbour master, Mr. Williams, an Fnglishman, visited
ns soon after our anchoring, and by him I forwarded to the
Yntendente (or governor), Don José Santiago Aldunate, the
letters brought for him from Chile.
In the afternoon I received his acknowledgments, and offers
of all the assistance in his power to render. As it was probable
that our stay would occupy some weeks, I established myself
at a house in the town, obtained by his kindness ; and there
fixed my portable observatory, and set up an azimuth altitude
instrument.
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