( 48 ) 



fine prawns ; so large is the supply to the market, that a quantity 

 of fish, sufficient to dine a dozen persons, may be had for a shilling. 

 Meat is much the same in quality as at Monte Video, being rather 

 hard and lean ; its general price is about three halfpence per pound. 

 Pigs, turkies, ducks, poultry, and eggs, as well as fine vegetables 

 and excellent potatoes, are plentiful and cheap. 



The trade of this place is inconsiderable, as the produce does not 

 much exceed the consumption of the inhabitants, who are in ge- 

 neral far from rich. It affords an agreeable retirement to merchants 

 who have discontinued business, masters of ships who have left off 

 going to sea, and other persons, who, having secured an inde- 

 pendence, seek only leisure to enjoy it. Few places are better 

 calculated for such a purpose than this ; it is enlivened by the nu- 

 merous coasting-vessels from Bahia, Pernambuco, and other ports, 

 bound for the Plata, which frequently touch here ; and it is amply 

 provided with artisans of all descriptions, such as tailors, shoe- 

 makers, tin-workers, joiners, and smiths. The inhabitants in general 

 are very civil and courteous to strangers ; the ladies are handsome 

 and very hvely, their chief employment is making of lace, in which 

 they display great ingenuity and taste. 



The mountains of the interior, and the rocks on the coast, are of 

 primitive granite. Close to the fort, on the left hand of the entrance 

 to the harbour, is a vein of griinstein in various states of decompo- 

 sition, which ultimately migrates into clay of a superior quality to 

 that generally found in the valleys. The soil in the interior, being ra- 

 ther humid, is surprisingly fertile. It consists principall3' of a rich 

 vegetable decomposition, on which shrubs and plants grow in gi^at 

 luxuriance. Myrtles appear in all parts, and a most beautiful va- 

 riety of the passion-flower is found in equal abundance. Here is 

 also a profusion of roses, pinks, rosemary, &c. 



The animals are chiefly opossums, monkeys, and armadillas ; 

 there are various serpents, among which is the beautiful corral snake. 

 Of birds, there are cranes, hawks, parrots, of various species, 



