96 



ENTER THE CORDILLERA. 



regions. There were two custom-house officers 

 stationed here, who informed us, that only eight 

 days ago, the plain was covered with snow, in 

 some places two feet deep ; but the sun having 

 amazing power, it was soon melted again. This 

 plain is celebrated for some mines, worked here 

 a few years ago : it forms a complete separation 

 from the Cordillera, and the mountains we had 

 hitherto been travelling over ; forming, as it 

 were, the last resting-place to the traveller, pre- 

 vious to his entering the dreary regions. It ex- 

 tends N. and S. about eight leagues ; and E. 

 and W. three or four leagues ; but in some parts 

 not so broad. 



Fridat/y 11 th. Beautiful frosty morning : 

 left Uspallata at seven, and struck at once across 

 the plain over a few undulating hills, direct for 

 the frozen regions ] therm. 3° below the freezing 

 point. At about two leagues distance, came to a 

 very steep descent, by the side of a rapid 

 torrent, rushing down from the mountains above, 

 and discharging itself into the Rio de Mendoza, 



