466 NATUKAL HISTORY OF 



the thigh marked with black and white spots, and a well- 

 marked white streak on the edge of the upper lip, and along 

 the outer side of the leg, between the knee and ankle. The 

 occurrence of a species of this genus in an absolutely treeless 

 district is noteworthy. 



Another day I walked with the same companions to visit 

 a celebrated " quinta," or country-seat, the property of a Ger- 

 man gentleman, Mr. Buschenthal. It was an extremely hot 

 day, and the walk along dusty roads fringed with American 

 aloes, many of which were in flower, recalled our first im- 

 pressions of the vicinity of Monte Video. Mr. Buschenthal 

 was from home when we arrived, but we spent some hours 

 very pleasantly strolling about his grounds, where great 

 numbers of Eucalypti, together with a variety of fine Coni- 

 ferse, were growing. We visited the hothouses, which con- 

 tained beautiful tropical plants, including some splendid 

 orchids and ferns. In one of the conservatories a chamae- 

 leon was slowly crawling about, and we were much interested 

 in watching its motions. The rapidity with which the extra- 

 ordinary tongue was protruded to take flies from our hands 

 was wonderful. After leaving the quinta, we returned to 

 town by a different route, passing a variety of cottages, each 

 shaded by the umbrageous foliage of the large Ombu, one of 

 the few trees to be seen in the district. A few days later, 

 in the course of a long walk under a blazing sun, I witnessed 

 a curious sight — observing a green Mantis perched on a low 

 bush, with a white butterfly in its grasp, which it was devour- 

 ing piecemeal, its unfortunate victim, one wing of which was 

 nearly eaten away, making vain struggles to escape. 



Having filled up a second time with coal and provisions, 

 we intended to have left Monte Video on the 19th, but 

 were prevented by the coming on of a furious pampero, in 



