1832-3. 



ABSENCE OF TREES. 



55 



plexing case even than Maldonado. Situated under the 

 same latitude with Tierra del Fuego, and only between two 

 and three hundred miles distant from it^ possessed of an 

 entirely similar dimate, with a geological formation almost 

 identical^ with favourable situations^ and the same kind of 

 peaty soil^ yet these islands can scarcely boast of a plant 

 deserving the title even of a bush ; whilst in Tierra del 

 Fuego^ it is impossible to find an acre of land not covered 

 by the densest forest. In this case^ both the direction of 

 the heavy gales of wind and of the currents of the sea are 

 favourable to the transport of seeds. Canoes and other 

 works of art^ and trunks of trees^ drifted from Tierra del 

 Fuego^ are frequently thrown on the shores of the Western 

 Island. Hence perhaps it is that there are many plants 

 common to the two countries : but with respect to trees^ 

 even some attempts which have been made to transplant 

 them, have failed. 



During our stay at Maldonado I paid particular attention 

 to the mammalia and birds. Of the latter I procured, within 

 the distance of a morning's walk, no less than eighty species, 

 of which many were exceedingly beautiful — I think even 

 more so than those of Brazil. The other orders were not 

 neglected. Reptiles were numerous, and nine different kinds 

 of snakes were taken. Of the indigenous mammalia, the 

 only one now left of any size, which is common, is the 

 Cervus Campestris. This deer is exceedingly abundant 

 throughout the countries bordering the Plata. It is found in 

 Northern Patagonia as far south as the Rio Negro (lat. 41°) ; 

 but further southward none were seen by the officers em- 

 ployed in surveying the coast. It appears to prefer a hilly 

 country ; I saw very many small herds, containing from five 

 to seven animals each, near the Sierra Ventana, and among 

 the hills north of Maldonado. If a person crawling close 

 along the ground, slowly advances towards a herd, the deer 

 frequently, out of curiosity, approach to reconnoitre him. I 

 have by this means killed, from one spot, three out of 



