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CHAP. II. ' 



Journey to Barriga Negra. — -Geology of the Country. — Limestone^ and 

 Mode of burning it. — Horjied Cattle. — Peons — Horses. — Defective 

 State of Agriculture. — Manners of the Inhabitants. — Dress. — JVild 

 Animals. — Monte Video taken by the British. — My Return thither. 



/^N the arrival of General Beresford's expedition in the river, I 

 was again ordered into close confinement, but my advocate 

 obtained permission for me to be sent into the interior, under a stipu- 

 lation not to approach within forty leagues of Monte Video. This 

 removal seemed for the moment to shut out all hope of obtaining 

 my liberty, and at the same time threatened to expose me to fresh 

 dangers, but I derived some consolation from the generous offers of 

 shelter and protection made to me by a worthy Spaniard named Don 

 Juan Martinez, whose establishment, not more than fifty leagues 

 from thelake of Meni, was situated at the full distance prescribed in 

 the orders respecting me. A retreat so remote and unfrequented 

 offered few amusements to relieve the tediousness of banishment, but 

 it at least afforded the prospect of a wider range for mineralogical ob- 

 servation, and of ampler leisure to attend to this my favourite pursuit. 

 ' In the course of the journey thither, my attention was principally 

 engaged by the wild and solitary aspect of the country. About 

 twenty-five leagues north-east from Monte Video, I observed an 

 irregular ridge of granite mountains in a direction nearly north and 

 south, and the country from this distance gradually assumes a 

 rugged appearance. Mica is very common upon the road, and in 

 some places quartz ; on one hill I gathered several detached crystals 

 of the latter substance. The ravines of these stony wilds and the 

 wooded margins of the rivers afford shelter to many ferocious animals, 



