What I saw on the west coast of South and North America, and at the Hawaiian Islands.: By H. Willis Baxley, M.D.

FIRE COMPANIES.-GAS.
cause and effect. I did not see all Insurance badge or a fireenginie in Lima; and one only of the latter in Callao, and that
was exhibited as a curiosity to a wondering crowd. Nor did I
see a fire nor hear an alarm in either of those cities; but from
North American experience it may be inferred that an opportuniity will soon be afforded by the curious to test the capacities
of the new apparatus in Callao. In Valparaiso, however, insurancee companies, fire companies, fire bells, and fires of course,
abound. Several of the first named are of foreign capital se,nt
here for investment, and so probable is the investment to become
2ernanent that the speculation may well be declined unless to
gratify a disinterested desire to relieve the distresses of others.
The fire companies have peculiar and independent organizations
according to the nationality of their members, most of whom
are foreigners. A law exempting all firemen from the performance of military duty secures the services of a sufficient number of able-bodied natives to man each apparatus. The steam
fire-engine and alarm telegraph have not yet been introduced
into Chile. By and by she will be taught their value. But a
tug with a fire-engine attachment, and the head of water given
by the elevation of the city reservoir, located two hundred and
forty feet above the level of the port and Almendral, are iimportant additions to the ordinary means for the extinguishment
of fires.
Valparaiso is well lighted with gas, but it is too costly,
when the large coal deposits around Arauco Bay, and the
facility of water transportation thence, are considered. The
street gas lamp is an improvement on that of our cities. A
lonlg-handled lighter is used for turning a cock just belowthe
lamp, and then by pushing up with it likewise a perforated tin
trap floor, hinged on one side, the flame is instantly comimunicated to the burner within. The lighter being withdrawn the
trap falls to its place by its own weight. A moment merely is
consumed, and climbing with the clumsy use of lucifer matches
are avoided.
Every house has a flag-staff projecting from its front. A
law of the republic requires a display of the national flag on
every anniversary of the revolution of independence, anl event
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