1833.] EXCURSION TO COLONIA DEL SACRAMIENTO. 135 



CHAPTEK VIII. 



Excursion to Coloniu del Sacramiento Value of au Estaucia Cattle, 

 how counted Singular Breed of Oxen Perforated Pebbles Shepherd 

 Dogs PJorses brokeu-iu, Gauchos riding Character of Inhabitants 

 Rio Plata Flocks of Butterflies Aeronaut Spiders Phosphorescence 

 of the Sea Port Desire Guanaco Port St. Julian Geology of Pata- 

 gonia Fossil gigantic Animal Types of Organization 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 apprehensions 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. 



Our passage was a very long and tedious one. The Plata looks 

 like a noble estuary on the map ; but is in truth a poor affair. A 

 wide expanse of muddy water has neither grandeur nor beauty. At 

 one time of the day, the two shores, both of which are extremely 

 low, could just be distinguished from the deck. On arriving at 

 Monte Video I found that the Beagle would not sail for some time, 

 so I prepared for a short excursion in this part of Banda Oriental. 

 Everything which I have said about the country near Maldonado 

 is applicable to Monte Video ; but the land, with the one exception 

 of the Green Mount 450 feet high, from which it takes its name, is 

 far more level. Very little of the undulating grassy plain is 

 enclosed ; but near the town there are a few hedge-banks, covered 

 with agaves, cacti, and fennel. 



November l&h. We left Monte Video in the afternoon. I 

 intended to proceed to Colonia del Sacramiento, situated on the 

 northern bank of the Plata and opposite to Buenos Ayres, and 



