On the morning of the 17th it rained lightly, the first time this year, for about five hours.
The farmers, who plant corn near the sea-coast where the atmosphere is more humid, taking advantage of this shower, would break up the ground; after a second they would put the seed in; and if a third shower should fall, they would reap a good harvest in the spring.
It was interesting to watch the effect of this trifling amount of moisture.

Twelve hours afterwards the ground appeared as dry as ever; yet after an interval of ten days all the hills were faintly tinged with green patches; the grass being sparingly scattered in hair-like fibres a full inch in length.

Before this shower every part of the surface was bare as on a high-road.
(PLATE 77.

COQUIMBO, CHILE.) In the evening, Captain Fitz Roy and myself were dining with Mr.
Edwards, an English resident well known for his hospitality by all who have visited Coquimbo, when a sharp earthquake happened.

I heard the forecoming rumble, but from the screams of the ladies, the running of the servants, and the rush of several of the gentlemen to the doorway, I could not distinguish the motion.