LAKES AMD EI VERS OF PATAGONIA. 



381 



it was a tributary to the Rio Atuel, which flows more to the south. But having 

 been deflected eastwards by moving sandhills it now flows in the direction of 

 the Salado. Thus is formed a large triangular space, whose sides are represented 

 by the three rivers Diamante, Salado, and Atuel. 



Below the lust named, which descends from the snowy Cordilleras, the Salado, 

 gradually losing in volume and rambling with uncertain flow over the level 

 plains, is at last arrested by a chain of dunes. Here it expands into the broad 

 but shallow TJrre-Lafquen basin, 



called also Laguna Amarga, from Fig. 155.— LTeee-Lafqukn. 



its " bitter " waters, which, despite Scaie i : 1,200,000. 



their saline character, abound in fish. 



Beyond this basin the Cura-co, or 

 channel, may still be distinguished 

 through which the Salado formerly 

 reached the Bio Colorado. It might 

 almost seem as if the current had at 

 one time been diverted from the 

 Colorado eastwards to the broad 

 estuary of Bahia Blanca on the 

 Atlantic, which presents the aspect 

 of a fluvial mouth, and which has 

 the appearance of being connected 

 with the Urre-Lafquen depression 

 by a chain of lagoons, morasses, and 

 dried lacustrine basins. 



The Rio Colorado. 



In any case the Colorado is now 

 completely separated from the whole 

 of its northern basin, which is seven 

 or eight times more extensive thuu 

 the region to which it is now 

 confined. Beyond the Cordilleras, 



where are formed its two main — _i8Miiss. 



upper branches, the Bio Grande 



and the Bio de Barrancas, its course presents a remarkably uniform character. 

 After issuing from the mountains it is joined by no more affluents on either side, 

 and flows in the direction from north-west to south-east in a deeply eroded 

 rocky channel. 



Although traversing an arid region, where at times no rain falls for years 

 together, the Colorado never runs dry. During the period of melting snows it 

 forms a majestic watercourse, at once deep and rapid, with a breadth of from 

 1,000 to 1,300 feet. But in the winter season it dwindles to a shallow stream 



