142 BANDA ORIENTAL. [cHap. vin 
CHAPTER VIII. 
txcursion to Colonia del Sacramiento— Value of an Estancia — Cattle, 
hew counted—Singular Breed of Oxen—Perforated Pebbles — Shep- 
herd Dogs — Horses Broken-in, Gauchos Riding — Character of In- 
habitants—Rio Plata—Flocks of Butterflies—Aéronaut Spiders—Phospho- 
rescence of the Sea—Port Desire—Guanaco—Port St. Julian—Geology 
of Patagonia—Fossil gigantic Animal—Types of Organization constant 
—Change in the Zoology of America—Causes of Extinction. 
BANDA ORIENTAL AND PATAGONIA. 
Havine been delayed for nearly a fortnight in the city, I was 
glad to escape on board a packet bound for Monte Video. A 
town in a state of blockade must always be a disagreeable place 
of residence; in this case moreover there were constant appre- 
hensions from robbers within. ‘The sentinels were the worst of 
all; for, from their office and from having arms in their hands, 
they robbed with a degree of authority which other men could 
not imitate. 
Our passage was a very long and tedious one. The Plata 
looks like a noble estuary on the map; but is in truth a poor 
affair. A wide expanse of muddy water has neither grandeur nor 
beauty. At one time of the day, the two shores, both of which 
are extremely low, could just be distinguished from the deck. 
On arriving at Monte Video I found that the Beagle would not sail 
for some time, so I prepared for a short excursion in this part of 
Banda Oriental. Everything which I havesaid about the country 
near Maldonado is applicable to M. Video ; but the land, with the 
one exception of the Green Mount, 450 feet high, from which it 
takes its name, is far more level. Very little of the undulating 
grassy plain is enclosed ; but near the town there are a few hedge- 
banks, covered with agaves, cacti, and fennel. 
November 14th.—We left Monte Video in the afternoon. I 
intended to proceed to Colonia del Sacramiento, situated on the 
northern bank of the Plata and opposite to Buenos Ayres, and 
thence, following up the Uruguay, to the village of Mercedes on 
