[138]

Shells at Concepcion — whether lying on a plain, or a flat hill representing a plain — a valley — or on irregular ground — Whether absolutely on the surface, or partially imbedded in black earth, whether shells closely packed together or quite loose — in minute fragments or nearly perfect — collect one or two of each different sort— observe which is most abundant — In great quantities (forming even layers or irregular masses/ or few and scattered— whether they in above a bright red friable soil— whether found in many localities— Altitude—

[138v]

30,394

CL 57 1/2

D 58

30,370-10.30

CL 60

D 58 1/2

[138a]

Thursday 9th April 1835 10 am 1/2 tide

10 am Bar. 30,394 CL 57 1/2 D 58 W.

10.30 30.370 CL 60 D 58 1/2 North

Weather thick and hazy — Barometer first on the beach at about half tide.

Next at the highest point when this same bed can be traced to the place is a rut made by the rains — the shells about four inches below the surface— of a good soil of a dark brown colour— the stratum about two and in some places four inches thick—rather thickly studded rock off Quiriquina N point N 96 W. We on Moro Head

N. 112 W.—

This is about the highest point of the stratum, and from here it descends gradually to the Southward for about half a mile where it is mainly down to the beach— in some places the shells are very closely packed and the stratum thick- in others but loosely

[138av]

and narrow — in all points some are broken some perfect — in some parts Choros are most abundant —

No. 1 & 2 are from different parts of the stratum—

From the N. end of this stratum Cliffs of a soft sandstone commence about sixty feet high and almost perpendicular — in different parts of this Cliffs shells are forming similar to No. 3- 4- & 5 — large blocks of stones are also imbedded in it similar to No. 6 — large blocks also like on the beach specimens of which are brought — Concretions

[138b]

No 3 in the sides of a dry ditch a short distance from Mr. Walford's house — in this stratum Choros & Limpets are the most numerous — in the others not so common—

[sketch]

[Beagle diary, p. 303: "6th I crossed the Bay to Lirguen to see the best coal-mine of Concepción: as all the rest which I have seen, it is rather Lignite than Coal & occurs in a very modern formation. — The mine is not worked, for the coal when placed in a heap has the singular property of spontaneously igniting, it is certain that several vessels have been set on fire. — I found Capt. Walford, a Shropshire man, |551| residing in a nice quiet valley. — Lirguen is a short distance from Penco; the former port of Concepcion, which was destroyed by an Earthquake & consequent wave in the year 1751."]

[138bv]

at Lirquen —/ one small stratum (W-N) only about two yards long and footway to eight inches deep — shells imbedded in a dark soil (closely packed / sand mingled with the root of trees is found on the side of a road cut about a yard below when the shells are found at the foot of a hill which ascends gradually up — about 1/2 a mile from the nearest water —

No. 2 stratum round the edge of a bank about two yards deep which has been cut and removed at different times, in a good soil — shells but loosely packed and about six inches from the surface in some places there is a red soil a short distance below them in some places — could see but two strata —

Mr [Weldegrave] says he has frequently seen strata in different places, but cannot recollect the spots — one about halfway to Concepcion from Talen [illeg] a —