192 



JOURNEY ACROSS 



itself, but, after so much flat monotonous plain, 

 any new object becomes delightful. 



From the river Plata to the territory of 

 Mendoza, trees are rarely seen in any 

 numbers, except on the banks of the rivers, 

 and even there they seldom grow to any 

 height. The algaroba, seen occasionally on 

 the Pampas, is a species of acacia, bearing a 

 pod containing seeds that are said to be, when 

 peeled, as good as nutgalls, for making ink. 

 There is also another sort, common I believe 

 in Upper Peru or Bolivia, which bears a berry 

 eaten by the natives, and of which chicha is 

 made ; an inebriating drink invented by the 

 Indians. The fermentation of this detestable 

 beverage is produced by adding to the water in 

 which it is steeped a quantity of human saliva. 

 The women chew the berry first, and then pour 

 water upon it. 



The air plants common in Buenos Ayres 



