334 AMAZONIA AND LA PLATA. 



distributed from year to year. But the yearly average exceeds 40 inches, although 

 rainy days are far fewer than in West Europe. On the seaboard the rains are 

 attended by fierce gales and occasionally change to hail.* 



Floha axd Fauna. 



Uruguay can no longer boast of the rich flora which still survives in South 

 Brazil, at least as far as the Jacuhy valley. Wild palms, especially the yatai 

 (cocos yataï), may still be seen on the banks and islands of the Uruguay in associa- 

 tion with the taquara, or Brazilian bamboo, but they no longer range farther 

 south than the Rincon de las Gallinas. Woodlands have become rare in the 

 interior ; nor do they now present that marvellous variety of forms which is 

 observed in the Brazilian selcas and mattas. Even the araucaria of the Campos has 

 disappeared, and southwards stretch open, treeless plains, with here and there a 

 solitary ombu, the characteristic tree of the Plateau pampas. 



In its fauna also, Uruguay belongs rather to the Argentine than to the Brazi- 

 lian zone. The howling monkey, still heard in the northern forests, has disap- 

 peared from the lower reaches of the Uruguay, as the Cayman has from the 

 estuaries. But the rattle-snake is still met in the rocky glens of Minas and 

 Maldonado. The ostrich, seldom seen in the wild state, has been domesticated 

 since 1874, and is now bred in numerous farms. The Platean waters abound in 

 fish to such an extent that during the nine years' blockade of Monte Video from 

 1843 to 1851 the inhabitants drew their chief supply of food from this source. In 

 the Maldonado district there is a land crab analogous to the Cancer riiricola of 

 Jamaica, which is of burrowing habits ; it digs itself holes in the dry sand far 

 from the sea-shore and the banks of the lagoons. 



Inhabitants. 



At the time of the discovery, Uruguay was roamed by numerous Indian 

 tribes, whom the Spaniards began forthwith to reduce and enslave. They were 

 successful with certain groups, probably of Guarani stock, who occupied the left 

 bank of the Uruguay and its islands. The Yaros, Bohans and Chanas, who sub- 

 mitted to the invaders, soon disappeared, either by absorption, or in the struggle 

 with the Charruas, who had maintained their independence. 



These were physically a magnificent race, taller than the Europeans, stout, 

 vio-orous and agile, of sober habits, noted for their sharp sense of hearing, always 

 grave and collected, " never complaining even when being killed." They were 

 also a valiant people, whom the Spaniards had to conquer inch by inch. At first 

 they fought with club and arrow, but after the introduction of the horse, they 



* Meteorological conditions of Monte Video : — 



Temperature. Riiny 



Latitude. .„- ' -— , .■■■ Uays. Rxinfall. 



Mrx. Mean. Miu. 



34'54'S. 106" Fahr. G2 Fuhr. 32" Fnhr. 36 40 inches. 



