

i'^^ri^'s'' 





' - - l'*f^yfjT'' '^ ''^ ' <•' .-:■<' '^V- ""-r-" 



FL'EGIANS AND WIGWAMS. 



CHAPTER VIII 



Excursion to Colonia del Sacramiento — Value of an Estancia — Cattle, how counted 

 — Singular Breed of Oxen — ^Perforated Pebbles — Shepherd - dogs — Horses 

 Broken-in, Gauchos Riding — Character of Inhabitants — Rio Plata — P'locks of 

 Butterflies — Aeronaut Spiders — Phosphorescence of the Sea — Port Desire — 

 Guanaco — Port St. Julian — Geology of Patagonia — Fossil gigantic Animal — 

 Types of Organisation constant — Change in the Zoology of America — Causes of 

 Extinction. 



BANDA ORIENTAL AND PATAGONIA 



Having been delayed for nearly a fortnight in the city, I was 

 glad to escape on board a packet bound for Monte Video. A 

 town in a state of blockade must always be a disagreeable place 

 of residence ; in this case moreover there were constant appi'e- 

 hensions from robbers within. The sentinels were the worst of 

 all ; for, from their office and from having arms in their hands, 

 they robbed with a degree of authority which other men could 

 not imitate. 



