54 FROM ROSARIO TO MENDOZA. 



ford, while at that near Saladillo it was only fifteen yards wide and two feet deep ; and that on 

 the second it was near the same at the latter ford, hut much smaller at the Villa del Kio 

 Cuarto: and, finally, although the Rio Tercero, in consequence of a freshet, is noted as full and 

 deep on the first journey, yet, on the second, we forded it two or three times, and found it 

 but twenty-five yards wide and one deep. None of these streams have an outlet, except the 

 Tercero and its tributary the Cuarto; and in consequence of their shallowness, none of them 

 are navigable but the Tercero, and this only for a short distance in time of a freshet. 



While in Mendoza, besides the project of a railroad to Rosario, the subject of a canal was 

 under consideration ; and one or two persons were desirous I shoiild give them the results of 

 my barometric observations, as also my views of the practicability of cutting a canal. As I 

 am not a civil engineer, I am iinable to give accurate information upon the subject, but think 

 it probable that, by throwing the water of the Mendoza into the Tunuyan, this again into the 

 Quinto, by a detour to the southward to avoid the San Luis range, and finally the Quinto with 

 the Rio de la Laja into the Cuarto, a water communication could be made nearly all the year 

 from Mendoza to Rosario. Biit I do not believe it would materially benefit the country if con- 

 structed. Increased facility for transportation would induce greater activity in agricultural 

 pursuits, and consequently more water for irrigating would be needed, and this could not well 

 be spared from the canal. As regards a railroad, nothing is wanted but timber and money, 

 the country being highly favorable. The best quality of timber is said to abound in Paraguaj^, 

 and I suppose the expense of rafting it down would be small; but, with respect to money, the 

 country is entirely too thinly settled for such a work to be accomplished by private enterprise, 

 and, to judge from present appearances, it will be long before the government of the Confedera- 

 tion will sufficiently recover from the effects of civil wars to enable it to undertake the work. 

 The Mendocinos, however, are very sanguine about the matter. 



Of animals, the most common, from Mendoza to Buenos Ayres, are the biscachas. These 

 are about the size and color of the badger, but stand higher from the ground. Their heads 

 are short, and formed like those of rats ; and on each side of the face there is a black streak, 

 which gives them the appearance of wearing regulation whiskers. Both upper and under jaws 

 have two very large gnawing teeth. They live in communities, in burrows, which consist of 

 one large apartment with chambers or nests running off from it, which are kept very clean. 

 One of their peculiar habits is to collect round the entrance to their holes all the bones 

 and skulls found near— with what object it is difficult to guess, if it be not to warn horses aud 

 cattle, for in case a careless animal should knock down their edifice, they have the labor of 

 repairing it. 



The first joint of the hind legs of the biscacha has a hard, callous sole on its under side, and 

 this serves him for the purpose of locomotion, which is eflTected by springing like the kangaroo — 

 the hind feet appearing to be of no service, except for throwing out dirt when he is digging. 



A singular bond of union exists between this animal and the little owl of the pampa. One 

 or two of these birds are nearly always found sitting at the entrance to the biscachera, and, 

 when alarmed, give a harsh cry, and either fly off" a short distance or take refuge in their holes, 

 which are just inside of the entrance to the biscacheras — the porter's lodge, as it were. 



The biscacha is seldom seen out of his hole in the day-time.* 



Deer and guanaco are very common on the pampa, and are generally found feeding near the 

 lagunas. Their flesh is rank and unsavory, and they are considered of very little value except for 

 their skins. The mode of capturing them is with what are called "bolas," two or three round 

 stones covered with raw-hide, and connected together by braided or twisted hide-cords. Where 

 two stones are used, as among the Indians, the cord is about six feet long; but where there are 

 three, each cord is three feet long, and the three cords are connected at their ends. The 

 hunter, armed with bolas, depends on the fleetness of his horse to overtake the game ; and on 



• This aDimal is distinct from the biscacha of the Cordillera, which is smaller, and more nearly resembles the squirrel, having 

 a longer and more bushy tail than the former. 



