1832. TIDES — ABSENCE OF TREES. 93 



variations in depth be expected, as a natural consequence, but 

 also strong and varying currents. Little or no tide has been 

 hitherto noticed with any degree of accuracy in the estuary of 

 the Plata ; but this anomaly may be more apparent than real : 

 for where the depth of water is so fluctuating, and the currents 

 are so variable, it is difficult to distinguish the precise effects 

 of tides, except by a series of observations far longer than has 

 yet been made. 



To say much of Maldonado village, the town of Monte 

 Video, or the city of Buenos Ayres, would be to repeat an 

 * oft-told tale.' The views attached to this volume will give a 

 tolerably clear idea of a few striking peculiarities which are 

 immediately noticed by the eye of a stranger ; and of the inha- 

 bitants themselves I will only venture to say, upon my slight 

 acquaintance with them, that although prejudiced by their 

 erroneous ideas of freedom, and deficient in high principles, 

 ■they ai-e courteous and agreeable as mere acquaintances, kind 

 to strangers, and extremely hospitable. 



It is well known that there are very few trees* on either bank 

 of the Plata near its mouth, or on those immense plains, called 

 pampas, excepting here and there an ' ombu,'-f- or some which 

 have been planted near houses ; or a few copses of small trees 

 (mostly peach) planted for fuel : but I have not heard any 

 sufficient reason given for this scarcity of wood, in a country 

 covered with a great depth of alluvial soil, and adjoining dis- 

 tricts in which trees are abundant. The only second causes 

 for such a peculiarity, which I can imagine, are the following: 

 the nature of the soil, which may be unsuited to most trees, 

 although very productive of grass and gigantic thistles : the 

 furious storms which sweep along the level expanse, and would 

 demolish tender, unprotected young trees : the general want of 

 water, which in some years is so great as to become a severe 

 •drought : and the numerous herds of wild cattle which range 



* The exceptions are so few, that one might almost say there are no 

 trees which have not been planted. 

 + A kind of elder. 



