182 



BANDA ORIENTAL. 



Nov. 1833. 



found on the numerous species of armadillo, and exclu- 

 sively confined to that South- American genus. 



By the middle of the day on the 28th we arrived at 

 Monte Video, having been two days and a half on the road. 

 The country for the whole way was of a very uniform cha- 

 racter, some parts being rather more rocky and hilly than 

 near the Plata. Not far from Monte Video we passed 

 through the viljage of Las Pietras, so named from some 

 large rounded masses of syenite. Its appearance was rather 

 pretty. In this country, a few fig-trees around the houses, 

 and a site elevated a hundred feet above the general level, 

 ought always to be called picturesque. 



During the last six months, I have had an opportunity of 

 seeing a little of the character of the inhabitants of these 

 provinces. The Gauchos, or countrymen^ are very superior 

 to those who reside in the towns. The Gaucho is invariably 

 most obliging, polite, and hospitable. I did not meet even 

 with one instance of rudeness or inhospitality. He is modest, 

 both respecting himself and country, at the same time being 

 a spirited, bold fellow. On the other hand, there is much 

 blood shed, and many robberies committed. The constant 

 presence of the knife is the chief cause of the former. It is 

 lamentable to hear how many lives are lost in trifling 

 quarrels. In fighting, each party tries to mark the face of 

 his adversary, by slashing his nose or eyes; as is often 

 attested by deep and horrid-looking scars. Robberies 

 are a natural consequence of universal gambling, much 

 drinking, and extreme indolence. At Mercedes, I asked 

 two men why they did not work. One gravely said the 

 days were too long, the other that he was too poor. The 

 number of horses, and the profusion of food, are the destruc- 

 tion of all industry. Moreover, there are so many feast- 

 days ; and then nothing can succeed without it is begun 



bore to the body of the animal, we cannot compare it with that of any 

 living species. But at the same time we may conjecture that, in all 

 probability, this extinct monster was from six to ten feet long. 



