CHAPTER VI. 



AMONG THE FOSSILS. 



A Long Bullock Ride Santa Fe An Animal Collector Large 

 Fossils Indian Superstitions Darwin 111 A Native Doctor 

 Geology Gigantic Armoured Animals Drought The Parana 

 The Jaguar Darwin a Prisoner Swimming Horses Shower of 

 Butterflies Phosphorescence. 



INK of the most interest- 

 ing expeditions made by 

 Darwin was from Buenos 

 Ayres to Santa F, a dis- 

 tance of about three hun- 

 dred miles. The conven- 

 iences for travelling were 

 limited, the trip being 

 made in bullock waggons 

 a tedious operation at 

 best, but which had at 

 least one commendable 

 feature : it afforded the naturalist ample opportunities 

 to collect en route without the danger of being left 

 behind should he stray from the road. This country 

 was the home of the biscacha (Lagostomus tricho- 

 dactylus), a little rodent somewhat resembling a rab- 

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