ROAD TO MENDOZA. 



263 



South America, dividing the continent into two 

 unequal parts, and always within a hundred 

 miles of the Pacific Ocean. From Buenos 

 Ayres to Mendoza there are three distinct re- 

 gions, which contain the provinces of Buenos 

 Ayres, Santa Fe, Cordova, and Mendoza, 

 through parts of which the present post-road 

 passes, A shorter road to the Cordilleras, more 

 to the south, and strengthened by a line of forts, 

 was formerly contemplated as a means of con- 

 necting the Plata with the Pacific, and with the 

 hope of civilizing the Indians, through the centre 

 of whose territory it was to be carried, or at all 

 events to keep them in check with greater cer- 

 tainty; but after our war with, Buenos Ayres, 

 the Spanish government abandoned the scheme. 

 The first part of the plain in the route to Men- 

 doza is covered with thistles ; the second pro- 

 duces chiefly trefoil grass, called alfalfa, which is 



