The whole country of the Araucanian confederacy is divided into four principalities, called _Uthal-mapu_ in their language, which run parallel to each other from north to south. These are respectively named _Lauquen-mapu_, or the maritime country; _Lelbun-mapu_, or the plain country; _Inapire-mapu_, or country at the foot of the Andes; and _Pire-mapu_, or the country on the Andes. Each principality or Uthal-mapu is divided into five provinces, called _Ailla-regue_; and each province into nine districts, termed _regue._ Hence the whole country contains 4 _Uthal-mapus_, 20 _Ailla-regues_, and 180 _Regues_. Besides these, the country of the _Cunches_, who are in alliance with the Araucanians, extends along the coast between Valdivia and the archipelago of Chiloe; and the _Huilliches_, likewise allies of the Araucanians, occupy all the plains to the eastward, between the Cunches and the main ridge of the Andes. The civil government is a kind of aristocratic republic, under three orders of hereditary nobility, each subordinate to the other. Each of the four _Uthal-mapus_ is governed by a _Toqui_. The _Ailla-regues_, are each under the command of an _Apo-ulmen_; and every one of the _Regues_ is ruled by an _Ulmen_. The four _toquis_ are independent of each other, but are confederated for the public welfare. The _Apo-ulmens_ govern the provinces under the controul or superintendence of the respective _toquis_; and the _ulmens_ of the _regues_ are dependent on the Apo-ulmens, or arch-ulmens. This dependence is however almost entirely confined to military affairs. The distinguishing badge of the toqui is a kind of battle-axe, made of marble or porpyhry. The Apo-ulmens and Ulmens carry staves with silver heads; the former being distinguished by the addition of a silver ring round the middle of their staves. The toqui has only the shadow of sovereign authority, as every question of importance is decided by an assembly of the great body of nobles, which is called _Buta-coyog_ or _Auca-coyog_ the great council, or the Araucanian council. This assembly is usually held in some large plain, on the summons of the toquis; and on such occasions, like the ancient Germans as described by Tacitus, they unite the pleasures of revelling and even drunkenness with their deliberations. By their traditionary laws, called _Ad-mapu_ or customs of the country, two or more principalities, provinces, or districts cannot be held by the same chief. Whenever the male line of the ruling family becomes extinct, the vassals have the right to elect their own chief; and all the districts are directed entirely in civil matters by their respective Ulmens. The people are subject to no contributions or personal services whatever, except in time of war; so that all the chiefs of every rank or degree have to subsist on the produce of their own possessions.