CHAPTER XIV 



A TRIP TO MAR DEL PLATA 



"The great gray waves with an angry- moan, 



Rush in on the patient sand. 

 The spray from their crests is backward blown 

 By the strong wind from the land. 



As curls are blown from a maiden's face 



And flutter behind her free, 

 The spindrift blows from the waves which race 



From the stress of the outer sea." Laurence Hope. 



I DO not wish you to leave Argentina without having 

 had an opportunity to see the Pampean beds at 

 some point where you can form a good idea of their 

 structure, " said Dr. Roth. ' I have therefore arranged 

 that we shall go together to Mar del Plata, where you 

 will see the barrancas and have a chance with your 

 own hands to collect some of the characteristic pam- 

 pean fossils. ' 



Accordingly we went to Buenos Aires and took our 

 places on the night-express, which makes the run of 

 two hundred and fifty miles to Mar del Plata in twelve 

 hours. After placing our luggage in charge of the 

 porter on the sleeping-car, or dormitorio, we went 

 forward to the dining-car, or comedor. Here a num- 

 ber of the higher officials of the Government of the 

 Province were already seated at table. They were 



going on a tour of inspection to examine some work be- 



187 



