150 RIO PLATA. [CHAP. vnr. 



the army can neither read nor write, yet all meet in society as 

 equals. In Eutre llios, the Sala consisted of only six repre- 

 sentives. One of them kept a common shop, and evidently was 

 not degraded by the office. All this is what would be expected in 

 a new country; nevertheless the absence of gentlemen by pro- 

 fession appears to an Englishman something strange. 



When speaking of these countries, the manner in which they 

 have been brought up by their unnatural parent, Spain, should 

 alway be borne in mind. On the whole, perhaps, more credit is 

 due for what has been done, than blame for that which may be 

 deficient. It is impossible to doubt biit that the extreme liberalism 

 of these countries must ultimately lead to good results. The very 

 general toleration of foreign religions, the regard paid to the 

 means of education, the freedom of the press, the facilities offered 

 to all foreigners, and especially, as I am bound to add, to every one 

 professing the humblest pretensions to science, should be re- 

 collected with gratitude by those who have visited Spanish South 

 America. 



December Gth. The Beagle sailed from the Eio Plata, never 

 again to enter its muddy stream. Our course was directed to 

 Port Desire, on the coast of Patagonia. Before proceeding any 

 further, I will here put together a few observations made at sea. 



Several times when the ship has been some miles off the mouth 

 of the Plata, and at other times when off the shores of Northern 

 Patagonia, we have been surrounded by insects. One evening, 

 when we were about ten miles from the Bay of San Bias, vast 

 numbers of butterflies, in bands or flocks of countless myriads, 

 extended as far as the eye could range. Even by the aid of a 

 telescope it was not possible to see a space free from butterflies. 

 The seamen cried out " it was snowing butterflies," and such in 

 fact was the appearance. More species than one were present, 

 but the main part belonged to a kind very similar to, but not 

 identical with, the common English Colias edusa. Some moths 

 and hymenoptera accompanied the butterflies; and a fine beetle 

 (Calosoma) flew on board. Other instances are known of this 

 beetle having been caught far out at sea; and this is the more 

 remarkable, as the greater number of the Carabidte seldom or 

 never take wing. The day had been fine and calm, and the one 

 previous to it equally so, with light and variable airs. Hence 



